I need to replace the propeller shaft strut on my Nonsuch Ultra 30. The strut has either been cut back or simply deteriorated over time. There is only about 2 5/8" of strut left holding the cutlass bearing. See attached photo.
I am looking for a good source for a new strut. It would be great if there is an “off-the-shelf” source. If not, I am looking for someone who could fabricate the strut. I am based on the East Coast.
Also, it would be great if someone has the drawing that shows the strut dimensions. I have already downloaded the Shop Drawings, “N30 Strut Drilling.pdf”. However, it only shows the hole diameters and relative locations. I am not sure how a shop. could fabricate a custom strut without a dimensional drawing.
Thanks in advance.
Mike Stangl
Mariposa
Nonsuch Ultra 30
Hull #272
Dutch Harbor, RI
Wow that’s a bit of an oddity. Personally i would just trim the excess cutless sleeve and leave it be. Plenty of strut there. As long as the shaft is properly aligned and it doesn’t vibrate too much.
At the moment, I am going to try to replace the strut as I do not have a lot of confidence in terms of propeller shaft support. Let’s see what others have to say in terms of their experience in finding an off-the-shelf strut or having a custom one made.
The short strut support is odd. Probably someone cut off part of the strut at some time due to electrolysis or some other unknown reason.
A reputable prop shop should give you options and provide a new one if needed. Take your shaft and prop in as well. It is always a priceless feeling to know that everything under the water is in good condition.
The original rigger for Nonsuch, Mike Quill, has many of the castings. You might check with him as to whether he has this one, and/or knows the dimensions. Contact info for him at his website: mqyr.com
I’m looking for the bill from my yard to verify how much of the standard 4" cutless bearing they cut off to make it flush with the strut when I recently replaced mine. The strut, which was fully intact, was definitely well less than 4". I wouldn’t be surprised if they cut more than 1" off the bearing, making it close to yours. If I find the bill, I’ll verify.
I’m of the impression that the critical issue for a prop strut is maintaining the proper distance from the hull, thereby ensuring the straightness of the shaft. I’ll be interested to hear what you find out, but I’ve always thought that that – rather than the length of the bearing surface – was really what mattered.
Mike Swietzer (Home Again) has one. He just converted to a new Beta with a saildrive. He contacted me just a week ago wondering if I knew of anyone who was looking for one. I’ll pass this post on to him.
Hi Michael
I have the pattern for the strut. If you can find an used one from Mike Swietzer then grab that one. My challenges are going to be able to find a foundry to pour just one in a timely manner and keeping the cost out of the stratosphere.
Cheers
Mike Quill
St. Catharines
Boatless
Thanks for you comments and thoughts on my strut replacement project. I have sent an email to Mike Swietzer, expressing my interest in purchasing his used strut. If this does not work out, I may have to choose to continuing on with my existing strut (some risk) or trying to get a new one made. I have been contacted by another member of the INA group who also might be interested in getting a new strut made. I will follow-up with Mike Quill on this option in a separate email to him.
Whatever happens, I will post the results of my strut replacement project to the discussion group.
If it is just the bushing that is the problem a real machine shop should be able to cut the existing bushing off, weld on a new one and machine it with a high degree of accuracy.
I must have missed something here, why would someone have to cut the bushing off?? If a boatyard doesn’t have the usual tool to remove and replace a cutless bearing, I’d look elsewhere.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
My two penn’orth to this debate is that a cutless bearing that is longer than the strut can be left uncut with the excess protruding from the forward side of the strut. In this way, the bearing area is larger than it would be if cut and will reduce wear on both the prop shaft and the bearing itself.
Bob Illingworth
Nonsuch Luck 30U #367 (GBR1262T)
Moored Brightlingsea marina, Essex, UK; cruising the rivers of East Anglia, and, the North Sea.
My two cents says the same thing as Bob and Joe - why cut off “the excess length” of the cutlass bearing ??
Michael - If the strut on your boat is solid and securely anchored, I have a feeling that 2 and 5/8 inches of material that holds the bearing is adequate. Thinking of all of the forces that normally work on this point, Somehow, I think it’s srong enough. Also, it looks like any missing material is at the BACK of the strut, not the front of it. In short, I don’t think that the bottom of the strut was ever 4" long and the cutlass bearing was always somewhat longer than the place where it sits at the bottom of the strut.
As I said … my two cents.
Ernie A. in Toronto (where it’s too stifling hot to sail)
