Changing a transmission

[Steve Laume]

Changing a transmission while at anchor in the tropics.

[Steve Laume]

Progress and a mess.

[Steve Laume]

Down below.

[Steve Laume]

Dinner could present problems.

[Steve Laume]

My bed mate, while waiting for parts.

[Steve Laume]

Cleanup and new stainless exhaust.

[Steve Laume]

Going back in, the first time.

[Steve Laume]

Cutting away the engine pan to allow shift lever to move. Glassing it in so water can't get under the pan. It is a life saver to have a skinny friend when it comes to engine alignment.

[Jim Walsh]

Nice job. Making the best of the hand you’re dealt is the true mark of a real cruiser.

[Frenchy]

Congratulations - that's a tough job to do and especially at anchor with no West Marine type stores handy. Now
you can relax and enjoy. - Jean

[Steve Laume]

This was all last winter. The transmission got to the point where it would break loose and slip when I reached 12 to 1500RPMs. This was in the USVI and early in the trip so there would be lots of motoring in and out of coral reefs with no margin for error. All parts had to be sent from the states via priority mail. The USPS is amazing! My buddy Jerry was also absolutely essential to getting the job done. I am still amazed that we pulled it off.

[Steve Laume]

I did not put another Hurth transmission back in. The damper plate was in extremely bad shape. Fresh motor mounts were also recommended. I could still tidy up some stuff here at home. My gauges and switches got repeated salt water soakings. The tach works sometimes and not at others. It needs a waterproof cover if I continue to do these trips. I feel really good about the new transmission but sure wish I could have done the work at home.

[John Stone]

That is an impressive project especially under those conditions Steve. Your ability to pull that off is a testimony to your skills. I installed all my engine instruments below the bridgedeck inside the boat just for the dunkings you experienced. Unless your not sailing offshore it's going to happen. If the cover plate is truly waterproof I guess that would work.

Would enjoy seeing some pictures of your trip or reading about it. Very impressive sailing under tough conditions. How did your hard dodger perform?

Thanks for posting.

[eb1smith]

Nice job. I do have a couple of questions, what did you put in place for the Hurth? And where did you source this transmission and exhaust from?

Cheers,

Eric

[Steve Laume]

Everyone I talked to, advised against repairing the Hurth transmission. I searched the internet for a better replacement and came up with the PRM60. It is an English transmission with a cone clutch and is less than 3/8" longer and deeper that the Hurth. It is also cheaper than having the Hurth rebuilt. I called all over the US and England to try to get one. I finally got a hold of Joe, at Sound Marine, in Newington, CT. He had one sitting on his shelf and was extremely helpful in getting me what I needed and shipping it all down to me. The piping, I found through an internet search. It is all 316 grade stainless. I forget which site I went to but it was a industrial supplier and I sourced the, stainless, exhaust elbow from someone else. The transmission is a tight fit. In addition to having to modify the engine pan, there is also very little clearance between the zinc and the rudder. If I had done the job at home, I would have taken a 3/8" off of the shaft. It does clear but just barely. The transmission does seem to work very well and I feel extreme gratitude to everyone who helped me make it happen under rather difficult conditions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjn-ZUG1NG0