Broken shaft

[Betterdays]

Anyone else have this issue ?

Betterdays  was in the slings ready to go in the water.  The marina was putting a new zinc on the end of the prop shaft.  While getting the old one off the prop shaft broke off right at the edge of the prop hub.  I couldn't see anything unusual looked like a clean break. So, do I go with a repurposed bronze shaft, or the marina recommends new stainless.  The old bronze shaft lasted 28 years. 

Thanks
Stephen

[deisher6]

Wow...Never heard of this before.  You are very fortunate that it happened on the hard.  It could have been very interesting if it would have happened while under power. 

Always something interesting happening on 'mature' C-27's!

I still have a bronze shaft.  I have put a new keyway in it . The new keyway has already worked wider.  When the transmission was replaced also replaced the coupler with a split coupler, to help out on the loose fit causing the keyway(s) to spread.  So far all has been well.  However the shaft has a slight bend in it.  Next time on the hard will replace the shaft with SS one.  Will probably replace the cutlass bearing, again, at the same time.  Also plan to take the prop and shaft to a machinist to have them balanced.

regards charlie

[relamb]

If the boat was already in the sling ready to launch, I'd just glue it back on with 5200.  Can you post any pics of where it broke?
So far anything bad that people post on the site, eventually happens to my boat!

[Betterdays]

If I get to boat before they start repairs I will take some photos.  I should've Saturday when I was there, I was too annoyed and forgot.

Stephen

[MacGyver]

The best route to go is stainless, and that is coming from a old boat repairman.
too many positives to list by going the stainless route. I have done several of those over the years and not too bad a job really.

I have seen the bronze snap between the exit hole and the strut, that is a wild thing, especially when unprovoked!

Mac

[Betterdays]

It always gets more interesting.  Spoke with Gerry at Compac  who was super helpful.  He said he could get the prop shaft I needed. Just needed the measurements.   I told him it was a 1992 with a 16 hp universal diesel  1 inch bronze prop shaft.  Unfortunately they didn't make them with 1 inch bronze , only  7/8 bronze or   1 inch stainless.  Called the yard to re check, 1 inch bronze.  Called the  2 previous owners and they don't recall ever doing any work on the prop shaft.  So  I'm gonna pull the shaft get the dimension and have a new stainless one made from compact that will fit perfectly and the price wasn't too bad.  Any insight is always helpful. 

Stephen

[MacGyver]

The use of calipers is always recommended.

A lot of folks eye it up on a tape measure, and alot of folks mess up by an 1/8 of a inch.....

My caliper never lied, LOL


Mac

[deisher6]

Hey Stephen, I am pretty sure that Windrunner has a 1 inch bronze shaft.  She is an '86 C-27  AVB00016J58627
regards charlie

[Betterdays]

Trying to attach photo

[Betterdays]

So,  its never easy.  Received new shaft and cutlass from Hutchins, could not have been easier, really thankful for his help.
When taking the rudder out we noticed the rudder table was soaking wet and parts crumbled to the touch.  The emergency tiller port has been leaking on the top of the table for who knows how long.  Happy it didn't break while in the water and could fix it on the hard. Also scupper tube split in half and also was leaking.  Built new table gonna glass it over and put it in. Should be sailing by Saturday   woot.
I would check rudder tables for rot, easy fix.

BetterDays
Stephen   

[deisher6]

Thanks for the updates. 

It is always good to check around other things when you are fixing stuff.  Both of the scuppers were loose in Windrunner.  I confess to using 5200 to seal them up to the transom.

regards charlie

[AnchorJockey]

I just replaced my rudder table, same exact issue, water infiltration over time from the emergency tiller access.

[redfishnc]

Funny I noticed a wet area at the rear of the fuel tank and lo and behold that simple little access port was seeping water ever so slowly.  I used butyl tape. What did others use to seal that access plate in the cockpit?  Any reason not to use butyl tape?  I love this stuff.  Do you think its safe for everything above the waterline?

[Betterdays]

My shop thought initially my rudder table was leaking from emergency rudder port.  But after testing with water hose we found both scuppers were leaking.  Fixed scuppers, rudder table, and shaft, and boat is in the water for about a month.  We have had some big rainstorms and my bilge is incredibly dry.  I always had water in my bilge thought it was normal for this type of boat, its much better now and smells way better too.