prop shaft replacement, labour charges.

abbott013

abbott013

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I have a Mirror Offshore with a bent prop shaft ( 7/8 X 4 to 5 ft ). I am interested in peoples thoughts on how long it would take a boat yard to replace the prop shaft, coupler, outer bearing, cutless bearing, and stuffing box packing. I have found a yard to undertake the job and know roughly what the parts are going to cost, but they cant tell me how long the job is going to take, lots of scratching of heads and rubbing of chins, hmmm.
 
Hi
I guess the hardest part of the job will be getting the old bits off - corrosion etc. I did it years ago on a boat of that vintage. Getting the coupler off involved lots off hammer work and old Gosport sayings about people who design boats and engine access etc. It could take a lot of expensive yard time - at least a day I expect - with most of it spent getting the old bits off. Find out their labour rates which could be £45 an hour - it will help to avoid a later heart attack. Put penetrating oil on anything you can get at.
 
I'm currently re-engining my tomahawk and renewing the exhaust,shaft, seal cutless bearing etc. It's taking a lot longer than I thought. Removing the old stuff can takes hours particularly with corrosion and its effects.
Good luck,
Harry.
 
The only thing that is going to be a real pain removing is the cutless bearing, i am getting a new coupler fitted to save on time, and maybe a new propeller, so all they have to do is cut the shaft. I have just spoken to them again and they are agreeing on one days labour.
 
"...............to replace the prop shaft, coupler, outer bearing, cutless bearing, and stuffing box packing. ................."
Even for a small boat this is a significant project. Is the shaft propulsion system in mint condition, aside from the bent shaft......?, and, assuming the yard has first hand knowlege of who did the original installation, then, if the answer is yes, it is reasonable to ask for a firm quote, but they may still refuse.
capt_courageous and gjeffery are spot on.
IMO, the best you can expect from the yard is a very broad estimate, based on the yard's previous experience. It is up to you to weigh the type of experience they have with similar/same boats to yours.
Not much help I'm afraid.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If they know what they are doing, get a firm quote

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry to disagree but if they know what they are doing, they won't give a firm quote but they will give an estimate.
 
They have to re-align the engine and gearbox with the shaft....another "piece of string" job. A knackered coupling can hide a multitude of sins, you're replacing it with a new one and how good are your mountings?

That said a professional boatyard ought to be able to quote a firm price for the job (best estimate + contingency). You just might get a fright if they did..... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
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