Cutless bearing

[Aquabell27]

Had the boat hauled out last week as we suspected a worn cutless bearing...... And we were correct, took the shaft out and then removed the bearing, whilst we were doing this we decided to check the stuffing gland, and we noticed another cutless bearing, the problem is our engine is back to front and fitted on a v box so we have very limited access to the stuffing gland and the remaining cutless bearing. Has any1 else had this predicament? The only way I can see it being done is lifting the engine out, but surely there must be a way of doing it without removing the engine?!

Any help or info greatly appreciated

 

[Mistroma]

It doesn't sound very sensible to have a cutless bearing that you pull from inside the boat as it will be difficult to remove (disconnect shaft etc.). Anything is possible so it might just be that I've never seen this arrangement.

My previous boat had 2 nuts inside beside the shaft and one was awkward to reach. However, it turned into a simple job with one person inside holding a socke & extension and another outside to loosen the bolts. It was pretty easy to pull the complete bearing and holder out after removing the propeller. Unfortunately, you mention a second bearing at so you'd either need to remove the shaft or pull both bearings right though.

Are you certain that the cutless bearing has to be pulled into the hul for removal? Pictures might help others to comment more fully on the removal procedure.

 

[Aquabell27]

 

[Aquabell27]

This is taken from under the engine, there is no other way of removing it apart from pulling it into the boat, the 2 bolts that you see can not be moved as we cannot get to the nuts

 

[Aquabell27]

 

[pampas]

Looks like the nut is the other side of the red transverse?

 

[Aquabell27]

Yes they are the otherwise but we cannot get to them

 

[JumbleDuck]

Had the boat hauled out last week as we suspected a worn cutless bearing...... And we were correct, took the shaft out and then removed the bearing, whilst we were doing this we decided to check the stuffing gland, and we noticed another cutless bearing...

Seems weird at first sight. Cutless bearings are supposed to be water lubricated; where does the water for this second one come from or go to?

 

[Mistroma]

Looks as if there is an injection elbow on the left. I'm guessing that the stuffing box screws onto the bearing and water is pumped through and along the shaft. It does look like a poorly thought out arrangement for maintenance but that has been a low priority on many designs I've seen. I'm afraid that I can't see any magic bullet to aid removal.

I would be sensible to use captive nuts on the back face (welded on?) and I can't see how it could have been assembled in the first place if you can't reach non-captive nuts. But boat builders aren't always sensible. Sorry that I can't suggest anything else. Perhaps someone else has worked on this type of boat before (Aquabell 27).

 

[Tranona]

Suspect those two bolts are either lag bolts just screwed into the GRP or possibly into captive nuts. Undo them and the bearing housing will unscrew from the stern tube. I have the same arrangement on my stereo tube.

 

[Aquabell27]

Seems weird at first sight. Cutless bearings are supposed to be water lubricated; where does the water for this second one come from or go to?

The shaft is water lubricated if you look at the top of the picture you can see the hose which the water runs through and before you get to this there is a black hose connected to a plate with stern packing in it

 

[Neil_Y]

This is quite normal (more so on larger vessels perhaps) having a forward bearing often this is half length or 2 x shaft OD.

I'd go along with Tranoma's opinion of how to dismantle. If you end up trying to install a bearing in this situation you can have the bearing as a clearance fit in the carrier and it can be epoxied in place, removal is also easier but probably still needs a contortionist or someone with eight arms.

 

[essexboy]

If this was built in Bells yard at Brundall , Norfolk the yard is still operating so that might be a good source of help ?