propeller shaft, ? stainless - cd31

[len freedberg]

i am installing a new propeller shaft on my cd 31 having had to remove the old one to drp the rudder - the old shaft had to be cut - i am advised by the propeller shaft that they are using stainless steel shafts now because bronze is as expensive and good bronze shafts not readily available (five years ago when i pulled the shaft to replace the cutlass bearing they did use bronze) - ? anyone has replaced their shaft with a stainless steel one and if so ? any problems



md.frel@nwh.org

[Chris Cram]

In the early nineties I replaced the propeller shaft on my 25D with a Stainless Steel one. At the time I was told that stainless was more durable , less likely to warp or bend, less prone to wear (scoring). It is still in great shape and have not had to replace the cutless bearing since that change either.

Chris Cram



cccobx@prodigy.net

[John Sill]

Had my shaft replaced two years ago (from bronze to stainless). No problems that I know about.



jesill@erols.com

[Tom]

i am installing a new propeller shaft on my cd 31 having had to remove the old one to drp the rudder - the old shaft had to be cut - i am advised by the propeller shaft that they are using stainless steel shafts now because bronze is as expensive and good bronze shafts not readily available (five years ago when i pulled the shaft to replace the cutlass bearing they did use bronze) - ? anyone has replaced their shaft with a stainless steel one and if so ? any problems

I replaced my prop shaft with a stainless one in 1988 and have had no problems. The old shaft that had to be cut because we couldn't get the transmission coupling off the end was also stainless. At that time the boat was only 5 years old so maybe Cape Dory put stainless shafts in some of them? Or if not, yards were replacing them with stainless as far back as 89. Virtually all new boats have stainless shafts. I don't think it's anything to worry about, but maybe Bristol Bronze could make some for us if bronze is important. I'm on the same cutlass bearing that I put in in 89 and it still shows no wear to speak of.

CD 31 # 15 "Heiress"



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[M. R. Shaft Bober]

Two seasons ago the original "bronze" shaft of RESPITE (CD330) snapped. Perhaps you've read my monograph, "Cruising the Chesapeake on $500 a Day--Meals Not Included"?
Couple of things:
1) I have been told that had the shaft been stainless rather than bronze it probably would not have snapped.
2) A replacement bronze shaft was difficult to find, but I did find one.
3) Matt Cawthorne will probably respond with technical information about what passes for "bronze" these days. He has researched the subject.
4) Due to improper installation of a new prop BY THE YARD, the replacement bronze shaft was subsquently replaced by a stainless shaft.
5) IMHO, when every underwater fitting on your boat is bronze and bonded the likelihood of galvanic corrosion is very low. Mix a few different metals immerse in salt water and then keep a eye on your zincs.
6) If you can't find a bronze shaft (which shouldn't be much more expensive than stainless) then the question is moot.
Greetings of the Season.
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330