Cutlass Bearings on 42i and similar models?

[daveinthemed]

Hello,
We have a 2008 Jeanneau 42i and have done almost 20,000nm in her. In that time we have replaced the cutless bearing near the propeller twice, but never looked at the area where the propeller shaft goes through to the hull.
The shaft seems to have some play in it at the hull on the outside, when the aft bearing was removed, there has not been any water ingress or unusual vibration. But 20,000nm is a long way.

Can anybody help me here? Is there a similar blue plastic sleeve that needs to be slid in and out there?
If so how do you get the old one out and the new one in?

It seems to me you would have to remove the rudder to pull the propeller shaft out. This seems a difficult and troublesome exercise. Any suggestions?

What about the rubber seal inside the hull on the shaft? What kind of maintenance is required here?

Any suggestions would be most welcome, many thanks

David Elliott

[davideso37]

Hi David,
I think you will find the only bearing is the cutless bearing in the P bracket. Inside the stern tube is just water space and on the inboard end of the stern tube is the seal. If you have a Volvo Seal you will have a small bearing inside this which is intended just to keep the seal centred on the shaft. Any misalignment of the motor to the prop shaft will accelerate the cutless bearing wear. I have replace mine once in nine years on our SO 37. For my next yacht I am installing a second cutless bearing at the inboard end of the sten tube because of the length of the shaft. This is not usually required in most production yachts that have the engine under the cockpit floor.

Regards

David