Cutlass bearing

[cmedsailor]

The cutlass bearing (I think is called like this) of my 2002 Beneteau Oceanis 361 (original from factory, never replaced) was cut. From the point where the two screws are and out is missing where inside this is OK. IF SOMEONE TELLS ME HOW I COULD ATTACH A PHOTO THEN I COULD DO THIS TO HELP!!
I know that I will have to replace the whole thing as soon as possible but since I am forced to move the boat into the water before managing to get one I was wondering, based on your experience, how dangerous is to leave it like this. The shaft looks in place and it is not vibrating or moving at all. In other words, how easy these bearings can be lost or move while motoring?

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

 

[john_morris_uk]

Are you saying that you have a sort of shortened cutlass bearing left? If that is that case and the shaft hasn't got too much movement in the remaining part, I don't think there will be a problem moving the boat a short distance.

Put the photo on Photobox (and make the folder a public one). Then put the www reference to the .jpg in your post. You can find the reference by right-clicking on the image. Copy and paste the http/....jpg address into the box that comes up when you click 'image' from the instant mark up selection that comes up when you post.

I have missed out resizing etc, but what I have said will get a picture online.

 

[cmedsailor]

John_Morris_uk yes this is what happened. Of course what is "short distance"??
Regarding the photo I am completely lost. If you don't mind and it is possible I could email it to you (you could send me a PM with your email) and probably you could post it for me.
Sorry I am not that good with computers....

 

[john_morris_uk]

I haven't resized it or cropped it to bet the best image on ybw.

How far do you want to motor?

How much play is on the shaft in the remainder of the Cutlass Bearing?

 

[cmedsailor]

Thanks for posting my picture!!!
I would like to motor around 80-90 nautical miles (say 12-14 hours). I really don't know how much is on the remaining because I don't know what is inside but proporion wise it looks a lot.

 

[vyv_cox]

It may depend where the two screws are. Do they both lie on the same circle around the bearing? If so, then a crack that follows a circular path is logical but would mean that the cutless bearing is not held axially. Could it move forward in its housing, causing the shaft support to be lost? This would be a serious situation.

If the boat is out of the water I would prefer to change the bearing before moving it. Cutless bearings are available almost everywhere, and even by mail order should be in your hands in a few days.

If you decide to move the boat I suggest you carefully monitor the noise made by the shaft in the bearing, perhaps by putting a screwdriver or length of metal between the housing and your ear, then find revs at which everything seems quietest.

 

[nedmin]

Looks to me like the bearing is coming out of the keel,if so I would,nt go across the marina.Wants sorting before going in the water.

 

[Tranona]

The bearing is a press fit into a stainless steel tube and the grub screws stop it from turning. Normally the outboard end of the bearing is flush with the tube, so I would be concerned if part of it was missing because they don't just break up for no reason. However, if the grub screws are still in place the bearing should still be OK. It is 100mm long and from memory the screws are about 20mm in from the end so there should still be 80mm of bearing forward of the screws.

Replacement of the bearing requires the shaft to be withdrawn and a special internal puller used to extract the old bearing. If it has a phenolic outer shell, rather than brass you may be able to cut it out, but the puller is the best way.