prop shaft leak?

[mikeinkwazi]

Possible leak?
In order to get at the stern gear on ‘Shandie’ (44 year old Twister, wooden top) I have cut a 12” x 12” hole in the cockpit floor to make an inspection hatch.
I now see and can reach, the shaft-to-gearbox connection and the greasing point/bearing to the shaft, which is mounted on a mini bulkhead.
So far so good!
From the bearing to the point where the shaft exit’s the stern of the boat the shaft is running inside a stationary tube approx 1metre long.
I suspect there is a leak somewhere at the exit point? There is a metal shape with two bolts showing at this point but I cannot see if there is a rubber coupling. (I may need another hole!?) what do you think, do I need to get at that exit point?

 

[alahol2]

It sounds like you are looking at the fixings for the cutless bearing holder. These normally are removed from the outside by removing the two retaining bolts. If you are lucky the inside nuts will be captive, if not you will need to be able to get a long reach socket to be able to hold them in place/tighten them. The cutless bearing holder normally screws onto the threaded stern tube. Remove from the outside, replace the bearing if necessary and replace with plenty of underwater gunge (eg CT1).

 

[omega2]

Those two bolts have 2 nuts each? if yes then they secure the stern gland packing, if you release the the top (locking)nut and give the the other one a half turn the leak may stop. There should ideally be a greaser in that area as well. Do not tighten too much go for a 20 second drip.

 

[Tranona]

Pretty sure that the metal fitting is the end of the stern tube and the fastenings hold it into the deadwood. They may be nuts on the screws that hold the cutless bearing housing on the outside. Quite possible to leak here as the tube goes through a hole in the hull moulding with sealant and this has possibly failed. As already suggested you should be able to undo the bearing housing from the outside by taking the 2 screws out and unscrewing it. The housing is quite long and you will have to take the prop off at least and probably the rudder.

Suggest you contact the owners association as other owners will almost certainly have faced the same problem and will know the actual method of construction.

 

[mikeinkwazi]

Pretty sure that the metal fitting is the end of the stern tube and the fastenings hold it into the deadwood. They may be nuts on the screws that hold the cutless bearing housing on the outside. Quite possible to leak here as the tube goes through a hole in the hull moulding with sealant and this has possibly failed. As already suggested you should be able to undo the bearing housing from the outside by taking the 2 screws out and unscrewing it. The housing is quite long and you will have to take the prop off at least and probably the rudder.

Suggest you contact the owners association as other owners will almost certainly have faced the same problem and will know the actual method of construction.

Yes I think you are correct. I have posted a message on the owner web site and live in hope! When the shaft exits in a place one can get at it is through a 'shaft log' Mine is ungetattable (till I make another hole in the cockpit) and goes through the 'stuffing box' then a long 'stern tube' then something? Could be as you say, through a hole with sealent!

 

[TQA]

Picture would be helpful.

 

[vyv_cox]

Posting the same question on more than one ybw.com forum does not help you to find an answer. A single thread can develop as more information is revealed and the solution will often emerge. This does not happen with multiple posts and I think you will find that almost all of us read all the forums.

 

[mikeinkwazi]

Posting the same question on more than one ybw.com forum does not help you to find an answer. A single thread can develop as more information is revealed and the solution will often emerge. This does not happen with multiple posts and I think you will find that almost all of us read all the forums.

Thank you for your view.

 

[WoodyP]

If the leak is at the outboard end of the prop shaft tube then this is a problem I had on a Kingfisher K30. The tube had a screw thread and had simply started coming undone. A good dollop of sealant on the thread and tightening it up solved the problem.