Five years ago, on one of my first solo sails on C’est La Vie, I allowed a jib sheet to get overboard as I was motoring into the drowned ravine that is the marina, here on the reservoir. I was focused on maintaining course. The ravine is maybe 30 meters narrow, lined with expensive boats. The sheet and propeller became enamored of each other and in taking the relationship to the next level (the way snakes do), they managed to pull the propeller shaft free from the coupling and the Westerbeke’s transmission. The coupling is a large rubber donut about one inch thick and maybe eight inches in diameter. It was all chewed up BUT the shaft bearing was not leaking. The boat glided to a complete stop about 20 meters from the beginning of the dock.
I had not yet learned to scull so I dropped anchor and swam to shore with my phone and wallet in a ziplock bag on top of one of those square floating seat cushions pushed gently ahead of me. It was a Sunday evening with no one around and the sun going down behind the trees. The next day, I returned to assess the damage. The temperature was in the mid-nineties (F) and the boat was a fiberglass sweat lodge. The largest washers available managed to keep enough of the torn parts of the coupler together in one piece to allow me to restart the engine and ease into my slip. I was not yet a lister here and had NO idea how to replace the coupler. In despair, I searched local roadsides for blown tires by the side of the road (with polyester cords, of course). I finally found a good candidate and fashioned a replacement coupler from the tread by dulling many box cutters. The bolt holes needed a rat tail file to enlarge the drilled holes. The tire tread has performed just fine since then. Steve Staten C’Est La Vie 26’ C&C Langley, OK, USA From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of William Walker via CnC-List Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 3:17 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: wwadjo...@aol.com Subject: Stus-List Prop Shaft coupling Some may remember that around mid summer I posted that my prop shaft had pulled out of coupling. Mine has two bolts which go through coupling and into small dimples drilled into shaft. They were wired in and over time the ends had worn off and allowed shaft to pull out when reversed was applied to prop. Some on list checked and had similar problems. I was surprised so many Well, on haul out I discover it has happened again, with the new bolts. Haven't pulled them yet to see, but shaft pulled enough to show key and the dimples, still in place. No excessive vibration or anything. Bolts still appear tight. Thinking maybe of going with two set screws in each hole, one snugged, another on top. Love to hear thoughts from listers with some experience. Bill Walker Evening Star CNC 36 Pentwater, Michigan
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