How do you know if you need a new cutlass bearing?

[renegade27]

Last year my wife and I had the absolute beautiful shared experience of getting a spinnaker sheet unwrapped from our shaft . Part of the line was stuffed (and burned) into the shaft 'hanger' (don't know what it is called) - I think that's where the cutlass bearing is.

We haven't got vibration as a result, but we do hear squealing, or a high pitched humming at times that I don't think we heard before.

Is this a sign that the cutlass needs replacing?

In order to do so, does the whole shaft need to be removed from the engine?

It's not bad now, but we'd rather do repairs now at an early sign than get stuck later needing assistance!

[Zanshin]

(Is your boat in the water or out)?

Is there any noticeable play if you try to move the propeller left-right-up-down? The cutless bearing replacement requires that the shaft be removed and this is best done out of the water since a big hole below the waterline is generally considered a "bad thing".

[renegade27]

In the water - but soon to be out

So play/ movement when rocked by hand is a good indicator? Is any play at all an indicator that a new bearing is in order?

[Zanshin]

It is hard to define "a little play" if you move it and it makes a noise that is probably bad. Also if the engine is in neutral and you have binding while trying to turn the prop then you have a problem (but a worse one, since the strut/support is bent and would need re-aligning)