This past Sunday while out with a prospective buyer for my boat, the propeller shaft broke. The break occurred at the most forward end of the shaft just inside the transmission’s most forward flange at the keyway. The transmission apparently was not damaged. The sharp edges of the keyway allowed the failure to occur there instead of overloading the transmission. It acted somewhat like a sheer pin thank-goodness.
All that said, I now need a new shaft. Does anyone have the propeller shaft specifications for the following boat:
o Nonsuch 30 Ultra,
o Built in 1985,
o S/N 283
o Shaft Diameter = 1-inch.
o Still has the original propeller (i.e., 2-bladed propeller supplied with the boat).
I have searched the INA web site and can’t find anything about propeller shafts. I know that there are different propellers installed over time that may have different hub dimensions but all I need is the specifications for the original propeller shaft.
I am trying to get the shaft made before I do a “short-haul” which is only for 10 days and will cost me about $400. The last thing I want to do is bring the old shaft to a shop after the starting the short-haul only to find out that they are backlogged and cannot do the work for a few weeks. Having the shaft ahead of time would limit the cost of the haul out.
I would call the local shop that does shafts and ask him how to go about getting a new shaft when you have the dimensions. It’s also possible that your owner’s manual may have the specs.
As an aside, note how most of us sign off. It gives us more info on how to answer a post.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
To Ed Collis, ORION VII. Toronto:
Ed: I can wait until you get to your boat this weekend. Thanks.
Richard Herbst
Nonsuch 30U, S/N 283
Wave Dancer
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
To Paul Miller, NS30U #211, Sandpiper, Cowichan Bay, B.C.:
I am located on the east coast in New Jersey about an hour’s drive south out of New York City with no significant traffic (2-hours with traffic). You indicated you have a spare shaft. Thanks for the offer but I’m not sure if shipping it from B.C. to N.J., USA would be result in any significant savings. My USA zip code is 07748-1612. I will need the shaft by next week. I have a prospective buyer waiting when the boat is repaired so time is of the essence. I’m not sure if shipping will result in any better results than buying a shaft locally.
As an alternate to your offer, can you tell me the length of the shaft? I can buy a stock shaft here that comes fabricated with the machined end to accommodate the propeller. All I really need to know is the overall length of the shaft so I know what size stock shaft to buy. The local yard will then cut off the excess shaft material and add the keyway for a small extra machining fee. Saving a few bucks at this point is not the issue. Getting the boat repaired in a timely manner so I don’t loose the prospective buyer is what is most important. Therefore, providing the length of the shaft would be most helpful. Thanks again.
Richard, it is a smidge over 52” x 1”.
Here is what I know and don’t know:
I didn’t replace the shaft myself so I can’t guarantee it to be from my boat but it came with the boat and has the same set screw holes and keyway arrangement as the one in place and there is a note in the ship’s files referring to a complete engine rebuild in ‘05 and the replacement of the shaft at that time.
I’ve had it checked out and it is apparently in perfect shape other than being sticky and dirty in places but I agree that shipping across the continent and the border would likely be both too costly and too time consuming.
Hope the photos help.
Hi;
The distance from the hull to the end of the shaft is:
25.5 “ on the top of the shaft and 28.5” on the bottom.
(remember, the shaft enters the hull at an angle.)
![IMG_20190708_135951[1].jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/2X/2/24c389b117c27c8a2615693d27864ca926bfa5bb.jpeg)