Prop shaft removal 89 Martinique

phodges wrote: Can Anyone help on shaft removal on a CC 89 Martinique? Please.And I am sorry for jumping on your question. I can't see how to start a new post.

This should probably go in the maintenance section. Go there and there is a icon over to the left for starting new topics.

Is the shaft bent? Just wondering why you're pulling it.

The hardest part is getting the coupling off the prop shaft since it should be a heat shrink it fit. There's a trick that many have used. A deep socket in the middle betwen the two coupling halves just smaller than the prop shaft and then long threaded rod w/nuts where you removed the bolts holding the halves together. Tightening the threaded rod nuts will then push the shaft out of the coupling. I suggest fine thread to give you a better mechanical advantage.

Thanks for your help. Will the rudder have to be removed?

Yes, you'll need to remove the gas tank unless your arms are small enough to fit back under it. You'll find a center bolt as well as a clamp bolt on the tiller arm. Remove them and the rudder may drop so stick a 2x4 under the rudder outside the boat. If it doesn't drop, you'll se some rather large nuts on top of the rudder port. One is the packing nut and the thin one below is it's jam nut. Loosen them and the rudder will then come out.

This is a excellent time to do a repack of both your rudder port and your prop shaft packing gland.

Tim,
Knowing you and your knowledge base, you're probably correct. Yes, I spoke out of turn here but how big is the tank in it? Also I did know what boat he has but personally have never been into the aft end of one.

So, back to the original question if the tank needs to come out to get the rudder dropped. Probably not. Take a look and report back. I'm curious now!!

that hull is pretty much the same as the bfn.

Redneck time - We hit a submerged log a couple weeks ago. Bowed the shaft & I believe moved the strut too. Believe it or not, the Acme prop is undamaged - heck of an alloy!

I made some V blocks from angle iron (welded flats to the bottoms).

The shaft was bowed about .009 inch. Found the high spot with a dial indicator. My son & I used our weight to straighten the shaft - got it down to .0015 inch.   

After realignment it runs smooth, but the helm want to pull to port a little - I think the stut is bent - I'll save that for a winter project.

Moral of my story - It is possible to straighten the shaft yourself if it is only slightly bent.