I am in the process of getting the boat ready for launch and today I cleaned the prop and shaft but noticed a little bit of play or side to side movement within the strut. The movement if measured would probably amount to a hundreth of an inch which I figure is normal but wanted to check with the experts. I would think that if there was no play at all the shaft would not be able to turn; am a I correct?
David - a little play in the shaft is normal - hundreth of an inch is very small and would be more than acceptable.
Bill
The last time I checked mine I had what can be described as movement. I asked around, couple owners voluntered that they had just had theirs checked by experts and were ok. I gave them a shake and would estimate they both had at least an 1/8-1/4" inch play. I'll change mine if it even gets close to that. At an estimated 100th you have quite a while before you need to change it.
David : On a new cutless bearing you should have no play. It will stay that way for a years depending on your engine/shaft alignment and engine hours run each year.
The biggest wear factor on your cutless bearing is that alignment. That's why people go to a "flexable coupling" and reduce that wear. A thought :D
I have also heard that locking the shaft in reverse while sailing will reduce wear on the cutlass. I have a feathering prop so that's no problem, but I wonder about people whio have fixed blade props?
Steve : I've never heard that.
I would say that sailing with the transmission in neutral (like most racers with a fixed prop do) would tend to wear the cutless bearing, not having it locked in reverse !! My openion.
Ron, I think that you and Steve are in violent agreement! Locking in reverse is the manufacturer's recommendation.
Tony
See: http://www.c34.org/faq-pages/faq-transmission-position-sailing.html
Even with a folding prop, I believe its best to lock the transmission in reverse. It helps ensure the prop folds. I have found in light winds that a folding prop sometimes won't fold and the shaft will still turn.
Tony : You are correct, Steve and I are saying the same thing. :thumb: