Removing the propeller in the water

[cmedsailor]

Last time I removed the propeller (15 months ago) while the boat was out of the water I had to use a heat gun and then hit it to brake loose. I may need to remove it again, this time in the water and I expect it to be difficult again. Any tips? What if I loosen the nut and then run the engine (keeping the lines of course)? Will the rotation help?

 

[savageseadog]

Last time I removed the propeller (15 months ago) while the boat was out of the water I had to use a heat gun and then hit it to brake loose. I may need to remove it again, this time in the water and I expect it to be difficult again. Any tips? What if I loosen the nut and then run the engine (keeping the lines of course)? Will the rotation help?

Saildrive or (I suspect) tapered shaft?

 

[cmedsailor]

Shaft coming out of a skeg (Beneteau)

 

[sailorman]

Shaft coming out of a skeg (Beneteau)

you may loose it by going astern but in doing so it might also ding your hull as the prop goes awol

 

[30boat]

The prop will be on a taper which means you'll need a puller.I've done it underwater and it was easy enough.I dived several times to tighten the puller and hit it with a hammer.It is a good idea to tie the puller and prop with lines to the boat or else you'll lose them when the prop jumps out of the taper.

 

[boguing]

Two hammers will ping it off. Diametrically opposed. Coat wth copperslip before you replace it.

 

[30boat]

Two hammers will ping it off. Diametrically opposed. Coat wth copperslip before you replace it.

Putting grease on a taper is not a good idea.A taper should be assembled dry.

 

[bikedaft]

have done it underwater on a tapered shaft with keyway - but the woodruff key had disintegrated, and the prop was loose on the shaft, so easy to get off. got it back on with new key, but did it all breath holding, so refixed it again when boat out a few months later (with bearing lock)

would suggest if prop not loose on the shaft would be very difficult, but not impossible, to do breath holding.

can you get a diver/do you dive/stick her against a pier at HW etc? even if you only have a metre of tide would suggest you do this as you can stand on the ground and work the puller. or large hammers...

biggest problem i had was locking the shaft - luckily a 65mm spanner i had on board locked it, but kept falling off, so had to get in/out water a lot. if you got someone topside helps a lot.

tie all your spanners/prop etc on with lanyards. i only lost one screwdriver

avoid coppergrease

good luck