Cutlass Bearing Replacement- Am I being Screwed!!!!

statgar, you mention that you are in Corfu right now.

If you feel the price is too high, you could bring the boat to Preveza next doors. You have the choice between 3 different yards, you'll find several mechanics too. For example, my engines are being pampered by a reliable english mechanic who also replaced my old shaft seals with Tides Marine seals.

BTW - I'm travelling to Preveza this week-end -> joyful anticipation for the coming cruising season and checking what is going on with our to do list!
 
Don't knock the cutless bearing out you may damage the mounting alignment of the p bracket.

We use a strut pro type gadget that pulls the bearing out by winding it out on two lengths of threaded bar against the front of the p bracket .

Also don't hammer props off or you could damage the gearbox.
 
Good thought Hardymy I have been in Corfu since last season and love it but have yet to venture further south than Paxos which I am going to correct this season everyone says how nice it is south of Preveza and Lefkas and I can't wait to visit. I have also been told how well the area is served with marine contractors, it is a shame that my boat is out of the water and therefore not economical for me to bring it down. Corfu also suits me with direct flights in summer from my local airport, Bristol, a real pain out of season Agean ex LHR and ATH how do you get on? Lets keep in touch it will be nice to know someone in the Ionian.
 
Normally I would agree its just that the port side is showing sign of degradation and the consensus seems to be that 10 years is a good life for cutlass bearings. BTW the whale swam of without a care in the world and no blood!
 
Excellent advice Bandit, I didn't like to say but I guess some bearings may come out easily. Hammering the prop won't work because the force is shock absorbed by the cutlass bearing.
 
The access in the winter is unbeliveably bad. I would fly to Thessaloniki, rent a car and drive the most comfortable highway I've been, all through mountains. But there is only one FRA-Thessaloniki connection per day in the winter, so tomorrow I'll fly into Athens. I will report if the driving is more convenient from Athens. It's of course much better between mid-may through mid-october, when Preveza-Levkas airport is open.

I am always keen to exchange about the Ionian! Will let you know about our plans as soon as we made our minds. BTW - you might have read my Ionian cruise report I posted in this asylum a couple of weeks ago.
 
Hi guys just noticed this thread and I am in the same situation with my Fairline Squadron 60.
I had a slight vibration in reverse on one engine and that is the only sign of an issue?
I had a German guy do a quick sea trial and he reckons its a cutlass baring, I assume when you take it out of the water their will be a bit of play with the shaft in the baring and this will confirm the problem.
I had no issues with it previously and only noticed after it it was delivered by boat to Palma last year, now i wonder if the shafts got knocked on off load or did they just dry out and then fail?
I also have been told do the whole thing take shafts out and do both seals and also by another engineer to use the press and leave shafts where they are?

I have been quoted 290 euros for the part and I can buy it in the uk for £100 or £130 for a vets one?
Labour is 300 euros a side?
I think i will fly out with the part not sure I want to take it on my self though?
 
It is not uncommon that cavitation as you go astern is noticable as vibration through the hull,
Problem is once detected, you do tend to notice it more.
 
Definitely get it straightened but I don't know whether it is bad enough for removal and re balance. Here is a picture of my prop post whale strike. There was no noticeable vibration and everything seemed fine so I didn't go down and investigate carrying on with my 100nm passage at 1200 rpm 9.5 kts as usual what I did notice was that the fuel consumption was 20% higher on the port engine, that's a huge difference and without that knowledge I would not have investigated further. I had the boat lifted out prop removed and just beaten back into shape by the Volvo engineers in 1 hour, perfect fuel consumption back to normal everything fine and that is why I have the quandary now about re-pitching and balancing, I've had it done but can't help thinking that I have wasted my money! Good luck.
 

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rosssavage yes I am in Gouvia and there until 14th July I'll PM you if you are around and thanks Hardmy I'm covered with embarrassment having read the full report up to date (hope Dad is improving rapidly, sounds positive but what an awful thing to have happen) I read the first thread with interest and then lost it. Really interesting and wets my appetite even more to go south, I'm planning an early June trip. I have thought of trying to get an Ionian MOBO Community started but don't know how to go about it, I don't do Facebook but it would be nice to have a group in which ideas and experiences can be shared and aired, maybe even a meet up! I'll keep an eye on your cruise report, did you say you were going to do one on north Ionian?
 
Sorry for the thread drift.

statgar, yes I'll try to put a report about your area together, one day...

BTW, I was in Preveza last week-end. This time I drove from Athens. It lasted around 4 to 4 1/2 hours with low traffic (compared to the 3 1/2 hours from Thessaloniki). Because the highway is still under construction, the journey from Athens is less comfortable than from Thessaloniki. But some parts have been completed now and things seem to improve quickly so it may be a valid alternative to Thessaloniki. As always in Greece, there is beautiful scenery along the road on both ways.

I might also do a cruise around June, but not sure yet. Don't know either whether we'll go North or South of Preveza. Anyway, I'll PM you my contact details. Maybe we can start a Ionian MoBo Whatsapp group?
 
If you have to check P bracket alignment you can check it with a bearing made as a clearance fit 0.20~0.30mm dependant on bearing size(that will be bedded on epoxy).

With a prop strike that has bent blades I'd be checking the P brackets alignment whilst it's all in pieces.

Chock the shaft and you should be able to slide the bearing up the shaft and into the P bracket where you should be able to turn it easily. Then you know the P bracket is aligned. For removal the epoxy can be softened with some heat.
 
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