At end of season haul out, my prop shaft looked bent. I could see what looked to be run out between the shaft and the hull (where it enters at the water) when I hand turned it.
When I removed the shaft, I noticed about 5-10 degrees of slop/backlash at the coupling and shaft (Is that normal or excessive?). The key way on the coupling looks to be distorted (wider aft). Also the detent on the shaft for the coupler set screw looks a little beat up (see picture). When I put the shaft on a granite surface plate, I only get about a 0.010 in of bend (is that excessive?). I am wondering if the shaft is not really bent all that bad and the run out I observed was just due to slop in the key way (probably caused over time by misalignment)?
So I am trying to decide how carried away to get here....
1) new coupling, cutlass
2) new shaft, coupling, cutlass
3) new bigger 7/8 shaft, coupling, stuffing box, cutlass, reprop with an Indigo
I currently have a 3/4" shaft, with a Michigan Saiiler 2 blade 12-7. Option 3 comes down to how great is an Indigo on a 35-II and how much does it add drag under sail?
I have also gotten mixed responses on the 3/4" shaft diameter. I have seen specific reviews of my boat (Ericson 35-II) that say the shaft is undersized. But others tell me that it is appropriate (46" long shaft).
Thanks in advance for thoughts and feedback.
Brad
When I removed the shaft, I noticed about 5-10 degrees of slop/backlash at the coupling and shaft (Is that normal or excessive?). The key way on the coupling looks to be distorted (wider aft). Also the detent on the shaft for the coupler set screw looks a little beat up (see picture). When I put the shaft on a granite surface plate, I only get about a 0.010 in of bend (is that excessive?). I am wondering if the shaft is not really bent all that bad and the run out I observed was just due to slop in the key way (probably caused over time by misalignment)?
So I am trying to decide how carried away to get here....
1) new coupling, cutlass
2) new shaft, coupling, cutlass
3) new bigger 7/8 shaft, coupling, stuffing box, cutlass, reprop with an Indigo
I currently have a 3/4" shaft, with a Michigan Saiiler 2 blade 12-7. Option 3 comes down to how great is an Indigo on a 35-II and how much does it add drag under sail?
I have also gotten mixed responses on the 3/4" shaft diameter. I have seen specific reviews of my boat (Ericson 35-II) that say the shaft is undersized. But others tell me that it is appropriate (46" long shaft).
Thanks in advance for thoughts and feedback.
Brad
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