Info on cutlas bearings / stern glands

[rmgcsj]

can anyone help? My cutlas bearing has water scoops on the housing that I think allows water to enter and lubricate the cutlas bearing. Is that correct? I am told that the stern gland fitted does not require any lubricant, but between the stern gland and the tube to the cutlas bearing is a grease point. What would be the point of this as I can not see what the grease is supposed to lubricate. Any information / lessons into stern and cutlas bearing appreciated.

 

[rwakeham]

I spent a long time looking for a stern gland lubrication point and then realised that the engine coolant output goes out through the cutlas bearing.

 

[LORDNELSON]

Yes the water scoops are for the cutless bearing and this is all it should require; there seems little point in the greasing point; it might have been put there if there is an inboard cutless bearing at that point (very unlikely) but, in any case, might represent a minor source of a leak if the greasepipe/nipple fails and/or the grease nipple is below waterline.

 

[brianhumber]

If you have scoops then its a good bet that your designer expects these to provide enough coolant for the cutlass bearing

Others use a bleed off from the engine cooling water as this will be cool enough and less likely to block/become blocked by weeds/hull growth- my preference but I am a play safe ex Marine Engineer.

Some low speed small craft have non at all as the vessel speed is not enough to try to suck the water out of the cutlass as you are going along.