Settle a bar argument ....... Stern glands/ cutlass bearing housing

[clyst]

Hi all

Please settle a friendly argument.

when tightening the cutlass bearing housings to the threaded stern tube should it be seated on the face of the stern tube and any "gap" between the cutlass housing and the "deadwood" (or what ever the GRP equivalent is) filled with filler OR the cutlass bearing housing tightened to to the face of the deadwood whether the bearing housing is seated against the tube face ? ........ If you see what I mean .

Thanks I have a few beers running on this .!!!

 

[NickRobinson]

This a job for me for next winter--

On my last boat I pulled the shaft and left the bearing housing untouched after dire warnings to leave well alone.

My guess is to bolt it up tight to the deadwood, otherwise axial loads will be carried by sealer and the tube may 'whip'

Nick

 

[oldharry]

It should be bolted to the GRP 'deadwood' so that the shaft is fully supported in the event of a fouled prop. (it WILL happen sooner or later!).

 

[Tranona]

The normal arrangement is for the flange to butt up against the deadwood when the housing is screwed onto the tube, with a sealer and possibly (if you are old fashioned) a ring of caulking cotton to stop water getting into the hull through the stern tube housing. However, some bearing housings such as Stuart Turner type have the water inlets for the bearing on the flange, so they need cutouts in the deadwood which should not be filled for obvious reasons. Most housings also have holes for locking screws or bolts into the deadwood to stop the housing from unscrewing.

So the procedure is to screw the housing on with sealer behind it until it meets the deadwood with the screw holes lined up (usually vertical) and put the screws or bolts in. Clean up the excess sealer and make sure the water inlets are clear.

Enjoy the pint (either the buying or the drinking).

 

[clyst]

Thanks chaps .......As I thought !! I will claim my beers tomorrow night .