How would you stop up the hole when you remove the prop shaft?

[Kelpie]

I may have to remove my prop shaft as I suspect it could have a bend in it. I expect to be able to do this quite easily between tides, however this will obviously leave the boat with a hole to fill!
I presume that a suitably sized softwood bung inserted from the outside of the hull would be one option, but I'm not sure how well I'd sleep at night with this being the only thing standing between the boat and the bottom of the harbour
Any other suggestions for something a bit more secure?

 

[Downsman]

A length of threaded rod of suitable length, two big "Penny Washers," two nuts and two homemade rubber washers ( old vehicle inner tube.)

Put a rubber washer, the penny washer and a nut on one end of rod, pass it through shaft opening, then rubber washer, penny washer and nut. Tighten nuts.

 

[alahol2]

If you have got a cutless bearing, particularly one with lubricating water inlets, I suspect a wooden bung on the outside may not work. It also stands a good chance of damaging the cutless bearing itself. I would be inclined to maybe put a short length of same sized shaft into the stuffing box/shaft seal from the inside, or remove the stuffing box/shaft seal and use your wooden bung. Shore it up inside (+ gaffer tape binding) to prevent the possibility of it falling out.

 

[DogWatch]

What about a new prop shaft, or is that me thinking too laterally?

 

[westernman]

How about a piece of dowling the right diameter?
Or even a broom stick?

 

[rogerthebodger]

If you have a flexible stern seal, remove the shaft seal part leaving the rubber tube and clamp an insert plug into the tube with like this. (top of page)

http://www.irrigaplas.co.za/irrigation_fittings_4.htm

 

[nimbusgb]

Remove the seal inside and clamp a piece of suitably sized plastic tubing long enough to reach above the waterline in its place. I'd put a loose fitting rubber plug or another piece of tubing over the outside too. just in case.

Why not a wooden plug? It's going to swell considerably in the one(?) tide it'll be submerged and I wouldn't want to be pi$$ing about trying to get a well and truly jammed plug out on the next tide and still be wanting to fit the new shaft.

 

[electrosys]

I wouldn't use a wooden plug either - too much risk of jamming due to swelling. As already suggested - see if you can source a 6" or so offcut of drive shaft. Weld a couple of tangs on the inboard end which can then be used to secure it in place.
If you're still feeling insecure, source a suitable sized cork - drill a small hole through it, feed a length of thin stuff through and knot it well behind a washer. Fill the cork's hole with silicone rubber and allow to set, then tap in place on the outboard side as 'belt and braces'.

 

[fisherman]

I used a short offcut of acetate, the machinable plastic round bar from a local supplier, as I didn't have a scrap bit of shaft. You can drill and bolt or screw it for security. Any marine engineer would have some for making rudder bearings and suchlike. Some of these plastics absorb water, so be careful. Use wood, don't worry about swelling, you can drill it out.

 

[Robby]

Removed propshaft

We used a short length of bright mild steel bar the same diameter as the shaft. The boat had an old fashioned gland packing which we repacked and nipped up a bit tighter than we would have done for a running seal. We also cut a piece of timber to length and wedged it in between engine beds and temporary shaft so it couldn't pop out of the stern tube and it was fine.

The proper shaft took a lot longer to replace and I think the temporary one was in place for a few weeks! It didn't leak a drop.