Hit a log Strut / prop / maybe shaft too

IT is SEF-1312 cast into the strut body. Anyone recognise the strut manufacturer?

No luck on that casting number so far.


Rough dimensions (as measured on the boat are)



Base = 5 7/8 x 3 1/4



Mounting holes = 4 1/2 x 2 1/4



Bushing tube legnth = 6 1/16

I understand about GL ~ it is cool that CCfan has such an event for it's members. I feel like the black sheep with my off brand, often think I should bail out on my boat and join the Nautique club.

On the prop ~Blade on upper rt is bent towards the camera. I scored a clean replacment $75 OJ 13x13 RH off of Ebay last night. The log was HUGE and only a soft ball size nub sticking out of the water. We were coming back at dusk which probally didn't help but I had seen and avoided other debris in the area with out issue. When we hit I was afraid it had taken the entire shaft prop and rudder with it. Fortunatly it did not and we could still make forward progress. We idled the remainig 4 miles up river back to the landing.

Luckily the rudder and tracking fins faired well.

do you have insurance?

Tough break! I hate to hear that. I wouldn't bail on the old girl yet.

Yesterday was the first time I got to ski behind my project. Wife pulled me on Trick & Slalom. I had perma grin until I found the strut bent this morning. We were on the James River about 10 miles below Richmond Va. I towed 12 miles to deep water and better beaches as opposed to launching in the swamp .8 mile behind the house. Guess I should have stayed in my own back yard.    

No insurance ~ would they really cover this? If so I'm adding that to my list. Parts alone could get close to that B.O.A.T. acronym

Thanks for the tip Gary ~ I had not thought of a prop repair shop for strut repair. I've got one good shop here but very very few inboards in this area. I have relatives down on the Chesapeake bay and with the commercial watermen I know inboards and prop repair are a way of life for them. I'll look into it further.

Thanks for the encouragement and sympathy.

I'll try to pull it down this weekend and check the shaft. We checked it prior to reinstall so im familure with that proceedure.


Think I may have found the answer on the strut measurements

http://www.marinehardware.com/downloads/running_gear.pdf
   

The strut can be straightened but it is easier to buy new.

Here is anothers source:

www.deepblueyachtsupply.com

those premiums always hit the mail on time

Still looking for a replacment as a spare or just incase this one does not make it.

Base = 1/4" thick    

Fasteners = 3/8" with counter sunk holes

Base dimensions = 3 1/4" x 5 5/8"

Hole pattern = 2 1/4" x 4 1/2"

Barrel = 6 1/4" long

Barrel Bore = 1 1/4" ID

Front drop = 4 5/8" from base to barrel center line

Rear drop = 6 1/4" from base to barrel center line

Back sweep is just under 2" (Looks like 1 7/8")

Shaft Dia = 1"

Weight = Boxed weight with plastic cutlas bushings and packing peanuts was 6 lbs.

Thanks ~ I edited the post above to include the bore & weight too.

A couple from the links posted above look close but no ringers.

Strut also looks very close to the dimensions of a the 1984 2001 Nautique Strut on Ebay ~ I just can't take a $300 guess. Maybe I can find a cheap used or damaged 2001 strut to check for measuremnt / fit.

Studying long forgotten Geometry at 1am to find the angle with only the measurements given above.

Might just have to wait until morning (working graveyard shift) when I can take my drawing and work with a rt. triangle.

What are the odds that the my repaired strut will position the shaft to refit center of the log using the same holes. I am concerned as I have heard of some folks neddeing to fill and redrill strut holes thru the hull to obtain the proper shaft / log alignment.

Is redrilling common?

I figure it is a given I will need to redrill for any alternate strut, Am I wrong to think this?


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Worked the prop shaft this morning. The A.R.E. shaft faired well. It was only out .010   

Got to assist my friend Dave working it back straight using an air over hydraulic 40 ton press. Made up (3) 2"x2"x1/16" aluminium squares to keep from marring the shaft in the press then went to work. It took 6 tons to move it ~ I am always amazed at how far these shafts give before they bend. Working it back in to spec was a long slow process. Press / check / mark repeat. Took manipulating it with 30 - 40 baby steps in the press to get it back in to the .003 spec. While any elementry aged kid could do the physical work the skill and feel involved with this type of press work was way above my head. I'm sure I would have made it into an expensive stainless pretzel.    

Thanks again to Gary. My strut repair was $55.

Strut should be here today / tomorrow.

Prop is already here.

SkiDIm order with fresh prop nut and 3/16 packing should arrive today.

Hope to assemble tomorrow and be back on the water this weekend. (fingers crossed)

Meanwhile ~ I'm Collecting parts to swap in spare trans after main summer season ends (Rear main seal / fresh trans cooler lines / new damper).

Hopefully once I get the cover back on the boat I'll quit bleeding $$$ long enough to save a few pennys and get the trans out to Eric.

Thanks for the tip. Can't wait for that BIG brown truck to arrive.

I think I got a big brown box of poo


Looks like the tool they used to straighten the strut damaged the strut bore and cracked the brass. Bore is now distorted and shaft does not fit the hole.   

WOW!!!! Have you called them on it yet? Look's like the had the "kid" out back run the hydraulic press!! I'm sorry to see this happen. It can be welded and rebored but by the time you do that, a new one may be the better option. How the "H" could they send that back to you like that??? One thing for sure is never trust a uncle and guys, NEVER EVER send ANY work to Murphy's prop shop - got it!!! If they did that to a strut which is really pretty "beefy", I wonder what they do to props? "Sir, your prop just broke in two pieces - Sorry but we now need to sell you a brand new prop"

The shop was closed when UPS delivered my strut. I will call them first thing in the morning.

Option 5.
    What about just pressing the 2-piece cutlas bearing in about 1/2". With my 6" strut their is 2" of room in the middle left to do this, taking the distorted section of the barrel out of the equation with out correcting or further damaging the faulty work.


Option 6.
      Found a guy who parted out a boat like mine locally last month. He has parts for sale. Driving over to buy his strut 2nd thing in the AM. So far I've only spoken to his wife so this is reaching out on a limb but I've got nothing to loose he is with in an hrs drive.

My strut has a casting # of SEF 1312

S.E.F. =   SouthEastern Foundries
SouthEastern Foundries produces non ferrous castings and is know for it's line of marine driveline equipment

SouthEastern Foundries Corp
2706 Oakland Ave
Greensboro, NC 27403
336-299-7212
southeasternfoundries.com