[Public-List] Cracked Stern Tube - Laugh or Cry?

[George Dinwiddie]

Daniel,

On 9/13/18 6:18 PM, Daniel Swords via Public-List wrote:
> My boat (hull #525) has recently been suffering from a slow leak at the stern tube. The local boat yard assessment is a cracked stern tube which agrees with my assessment of the leak location. Their initial estimate for repair is approximately $9,000. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. I guess my next option is to find a yard that will let me do the work myself and to see if I can repair/replace the stern tube without removing the engine and fuel tank. Thoughts or condolences are appreciated. Daniel Solitude Mandeville, LA

You can remove the stern tube from outside the boat. The hard part will 
be removing any caulking around it. Disconnect the stuffing box from the 
stern tube at the stern tube end. Remove the prop and unbolt the cutless 
bearing housing. Then, without unscrewing the cutless bearing housing 
from the stern tube, pull it off rearwards. You'll probably need a crowbar.

Contrary to what many people think and I thought before working in this 
area, the caulk around the stern tube does not keep water out of the 
boat. The caulk on the flange and bolts of the cutless bearing housing 
does that. The caulk on the stern tube just holds it in place when 
you're removing the cutless bearing housing. Had I known that, I would 
have avoided many days of work.

The stern tube is a piece of bronze pipe. It's unlikely to crack. The 
stuffing box hose is more likely to be a source of leaks in that area.

  - George

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