propshaft damage

[fjweaver]

We've just got the boat out of the water and were going to replace the cutlass bearing but have discovered that the propshaft is really scored & I need a new one.

On the last trip the engine was really lacking power. When she was lifted out we saw that the shaft anode had lost one of its bolts & had slipped back onto the P-bracket & was being worn down and starting to slot into the p-bracket. I guess this stopped flow of water into the cutlass bearing.

Would this be the cause of the shaft damage & the lack of power?

Frank

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[longjohnsilver]

Any chance you can swap the ends of the shaft around so the areas of wear are not rubbing against the bearings or seals? You would probably need to get the ends machined again to fit the flange and prop, but that should be much cheaper than a new shaft.

The anode could be the cause of the wear, depending on where the wear was, but doubt it would cause much loss of power.

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[fjweaver]

I asked about that too - I haven't seen it myself but my Dad was at the boatyard & says that it's pretty bad so I'm inclined to go for a new one to guarantee that it's straight & will all line up ok. I just hope I haven't got a separate problem with the engine

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[sjohn_gibson]

I bit the bullet and replaced my propshaft 2 years ago. (approx 2 meters long). I tried a local steel supplier with the intention of getting the machining done separately. Soon discovered there is a wide range of quality steel bar for use as shafts (grinding machine tolerances). However, found a local Engineering Company that specialise in propshafts for boats - Clements Engineering tele 01234 378814. They provided a new shaft and cutlass bearing for £100.

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