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April 2017 12 Find Us On Facebook at Boating On The Hudson
BOAT TALKWITH
Alex Salomatoff.
Alex
Salomatoff
If you have a question for Master Mechanic and Owner of Alex’s
Marine Plus in New Windsor, NY, simply call Alex at 845-565-9199
or e-mail,
Alex’s Marine Plus
2907 Rte 9W Suite 200,
NewWindsor, NY 12553
(845) 565-9199
alexsmarineplus.com
Hi Alex, when my straight shaft, 1985 20’ Shamrock is in slow speed, I
can hear a knocking that sounds like it is coming from the transmission.
What can it be?
Alex: It could be the tranny but there are plenty of other areas of the
propulsion system to check first.
•The propeller: Is it bent or damaged in some way?
•The shaft itself could be out of alignment.
•The cutlass bearing that holds the shaft that is located just before
the rudder could be worn. My guess is that is where the problem is.
If you can shake the shaft sideways or there is play in that area, or you
know for a fact that it has never been changed, then my guess is that
is where the noise is coming from.
If we were to replace the cutlass bearing we would probably
disconnect the shaft from the transmission, there are some set-screws
that go into cups on the shaft. It is very important that you mark the
shaft and coupling before you take it apart so that you can put it back
together accurately when you replace the cutlass bearing.
We may have to remove the rudder as well as it is usually directly
behind the propeller and will not allow the shaft to come back out
all the way.
Once the shaft is out it is fairly easy to use a cutlass-bearing remover
to push the old bearing out of the strut. ( You can also cut the bearing
however you had better be careful in doing this.)
Now you may say to yourself, “What the hell! I am not going to do
this! It’s too much work, I will just live with the noise!”
Bad idea as the wobbling in the shaft is going to start harming your
transmission and that my friend is not a cheap fix!
Please note: There is a kit that is specific to removing cutless bearings
on a propeller shaft. It is very expensive and few locations have one!
You Have Boat
Questions and
Exper t Mechanic
Alex Salomatoff
Has Answers!
Boating On The Hudson is
starting our brand new Call-In
Online Radio Talk Show That Is
All About Boat Repair called “Ask
Alex!”
Alex Salomatoff is the Owner and
an Extraordinarily Exceptional
Mechanic at Alex’s Marine Plus in
New Windsor, NY. If you have any
questions at all about your boat,
your trailer or your Jet-Ski, Simply
Call or Text Lex Now at 845-363-
0004 to arrange a time ASAP to
ask your question directly to Alex
“On The Air.”