URGENT - shaft replacement question

[Bill Root]

Over the weekend I had a run-in with a submerged object. I had the boat hauled today (43' 1973 DCMY), and to make a long story short, both props are damaged and both shafts are out of tolerable alignment.

My boat has the two-part shafts connected by a large collar. The collars have some cracks in them. The prop/shaft repair place (General Propeller in Tampa), says that these collars are no longer available, so while they can true up the half shafts, they can't do anything with the collars. They recommend I replace the shafts with single aquanet(?) 22 shafts. The insurance company is willing to pay for that.

Does anyone know if there is a source for the collars for the old split shafts?Is there any reason why I shouldn't take the prop repair shop's advice and replace the current shafts with new one-piece shafts? I do understand that the spare half shaft I now have will be useless. Expert advice would be much appreciated. I need to make a decision quickly because I must get underway again next week.

Thanks very much

 

[Boatsb]

If the insurance company is willing to pay for the upgrade I see no reason why the new shafts are a question.

 

[ThirdHatt]

Bill, I am very sorry to hear of your troubles. I feel your pain as unfortunately I had the same experience Saturday morning when we hit a broken piling @ cruise speed. Luckily(?), only one side (port) prop/strut/shaft got damaged.

I would first check with Sailorman in Ft. Lauderdale as they often have a pair of the shaft couplings in stock. Otherwise, don't hesitate to have the one-piece shafts made up. Although they do not allow for a quick stub-shaft replacement in the future, they will offer a level of smoothness that a two-piece design cannot match.

By the way, General Propeller is the best source for props on the entire Gulf Coast, so you are in very good hands!

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[takefive]

Just replaced shafts on my 46 conv. They also had the two piece units. I had General make up new one piece shafts, at the same time installed dripless seals. My .02 is go one piece shafts

 

[Bill Root]

Thanks to all who responded. I'm going with the one piece shafts.

 

[shark 1007]

Good move. You can trust Larry over there with General.

 

[saltshaker]

Bill,
If you are going with the new 1 piece shafts, now would be a good time to install dripless shaft seals.

 

[Walter P]

I suspect that your shafts (2 pc) are not original. About 25 yrs ago, I had a 1973 43' DC w. 6/71N's and 1 3/4" shafts. They were one piece shafts. Some years later, I had another 43 with 6/71 TI's...same shafts. Since then I have come across quite a few 43's all with 1 3/4" one piece shafts. Your originals may have been damaged sometime along way and rather than pay for new 13 ft shafts, they were "stubbed".

There is no question that you are making the right move by having new full length installed, especially since the Ins Co. is picking up the tab. There should be a market for your old shafts, even damaged so I suggest that you list them under parts for sale/wanted on this forum.

Good luck,


Walt

 

[jim rosenthal]

Just out of curiosity, what DO new shafts for your boat cost? I am sitting down.

 

[Vincentc]

Fortunately I didn't need to buy one, but I shopped just in case for a 1 3/4 x 12.5 (I gave the wrong length by 3 inches) Aquamet 22 and was quoted a little over $1200.
Regards,
Vincent

 

[Fanfare]

If you get the Tidesmarine dripless shaft seals (which Hatteras now uses) be sure to install the spare seals in their keeper while the shafts are out. I have 5+ years on mine, no problems or leaking at all. Have not had to use any of my spare seals. Finally cured my continually dripping stbd shaft!

 

[Captned]

Put two or three spare seals on. I saw a boat the other day that had three spares on both sides! Good luck..

Captned
MBMM

 

[Bill Root]

Again, thanks to everyone who responded and provided helpful suggestions. I already have dripless shaft seals on the boat. As to shaft price, I was given a preliminary quote of about $2200/shaft for Aquanet 22. This was for insurance estimate purposes to get the claim ball rolling. It included the repair yard mark-up. I suspect the actual price will be less once General gets complete information. I'll let you all know.

I'll post the old shafts on the parts site when the job is done. Any idea what they would be worth? Some pieces are out only 3 thousandths, others are out 10 thousandths. The spare stub shaft is true.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Bill,
If you are going with the new 1 piece shafts, now would be a good time to install dripless shaft seals.

Be carefull with that "dripless seals" idea. Most people shy away from them because if and when the seal fails, the water pours in. The experts feel, as I do, that just re-packing with GFO packing is a better solution. Our shaft seals don't drip at all and that stuff lasts forever. I see no advantage to those chancy and expensive dripless systems.

 

[Brian Degulis]

Dripless seals are no longer a smart idea. They were before the Gore Tex packing was available. Today your much better off keeping your low tech simple rugged stuffing box and using the Gore Tex packing.


Brian

 

[Fanfare]

Gore-Tex may be the answer. Things are always getting better. For me, nothing seemed to solve my leaking stbd seal. Tighten = fine, run = leak, fast. I had had damage at the muff coupling when somehow the bolts disintegrated. Probably the correct bolts got lost when my new engines and transmissions were replaced. The four end bolts were gone with only the four center ones holding things together. Fortunately I felt the vibration and dived the shaft, finding the problem after only 60 miles or so. Then I had to return to the yard (across the Gulf Stream again) for haul and replace. At least it was no charge by the yard. Checking shaft and stub indicated not bent, but it kept leaking. Perhaps I could have pulled the hose assembly and started over, but after about two years of this I was tired of it.

I talked to engineers both at Hatteras and at Hargrave Yachts, and they both recommended the Tidesmarine shaft seals. As of about 6 years ago all of their boats were being built with them. I was dubious myself, but they convinced me after a visit with Tides at FLIBS. I don't know what will happen if dripless seal tears, but I have two new replacements lined up in the protective carrier on the shaft. If the hose between the shaft log lets go that would be a problem, but we all have that danger with both dripless and Gore-Tex as this part is pretty much the same. The PSS carbon/stainless fitting may be more flexible to maintain alignment, so I did not use this brand.

I probably have 600+ hours on mine, and the former problem seems solved. No leaks!