Ahoy,
I was installing a new cutlass bearing with a home made puller (all-thread, washers, nuts), and my wrench was not long enough to give me enough torque to get the cutlass bearing in all the way. So I decided to tighten it as much as possible and then hit the end of the rod with a hammer.? Then I could tightening another 1/2 turn or so.
The idea is that because of the tension from the rod, I wouldn't have to hammer as hard. That worked fine until I dislodged the stern tube. I guess I should have just waited and got some longer wrenches? Or maybe it should not have been that hard in the first place??
So the question is -- what now? From what I can tell there is a fiberglass tube that has a 3' or so long bronze tube in it, and the cutlass goes into aft end of the bronze tube.
The bronze tube is now displaced about 1/4". Though it is still in there pretty tight. I've attached photos of the current situation.
So, what now?
I am guessing that even if I tapped the bronze tube back into place it would leak or perhaps shift around later.
On option would be to hammer it back into place, and then add some fiberglass and epoxy on the inside. But that sound sketchy. Maybe the whole thing needs to be completely removed, cleaned up, and then reinstalled with?Sikaflex 291 or 292 or something? Or maybe it only needs a little bit of sealant on the last inch of the tube?
I'm trying to get an idea of the scope of the project and then decide if I should do it or get the boatyard to do it.?
From what I can tell, stern tubes do have to be replaced now and then and are (often) not permanently affixed to the boat. And, perhaps if mine came loose 'this easily' it was time to reseal it anyway? I'd like to pretend that I accidentally discovered some maintenance that needed to be done anyway, though I suspect that is not the case.
Worst case, I guess I'll just have to glass over the hole, take out the engine, and get a big sculling oar like the guy on How To Sail Oceans.?
Thanks!
- jeremy
