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

[George Dinwiddie]

P.S. The picture at 
http://alberg30.org/maintenance/MechanicalPropulsion/CutlessBearing_to_StuffingBox.jpg 
may help you visualize this.

On 9/15/18 12:07 PM, George Dinwiddie via Public-List wrote:
> 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
> 

-- 
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
   So many I love were not yet born.                          also see:
                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------