Propeller Shaft Bearing Design

[N Wilkens]

Hello,

In preparation for relaunching my boat, I would like to design & fabricate a new propeller shaft bearing plate with an attached tube so that there is no question that water infiltrate the deadwood. A corresponding plate inboard would sleeve over the propeller shaft and contain the packing gland with adjustment.

The main reason for this kind of assembly is that it will assure me that water does not penetrate into the wood construction which has been cold-molded.

If anyone out there has any thoughts or comments on this type of application (the design concept) I would like to hear your feedback. I am looking for as much information about this as possible.

Thanks

[bainbridgeisland]

I don't quite understand the complexity you are proposing. All the cold molded boats I have built and designed were done the same way. We simply glued a plastic (or fiberglass) tube through the deadwood. It provided a clearance for the shaft. A standard packing gland was installed on the inboard end. Either a strut with a cutless bearing or a cutless bearing installed in the outboard end of the tube was used. After 30-years I have never heard of any problems with this installation.

[seayou77]

Could add a grease cup. Tough to keep grit out. That will be an exciting hole to drill!

[N Wilkens]

Thanks for your reply.