Shaft groans while hand turning the prop

[GaylesFaerie]

I noticed yesterday while cleaning the prop that as I turned the propeller, a slight groaning / vibration was coming from the shaft. I tried wiggling the prop up/down and side to side but could not feel any loose play. Is this just a symptom of a dry cutlass bearing or a sign of something worse? GF

 

[tlkenyon]

Yup....dry bearing. No biggie. Will go away in the water.

 

[BB marine]

Normal! When I do shaft runout using a dial indicator. I use soapy water and spray into the cutlass to lubricate it. Not because I'm afraid of running it dry as I turn it. I do this because the shaft does " jump or vibrate" from the dry shaft and this gives erratic readings. Once lubricated it turns smoothly just as it does when the boat is in the water.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

You two just made my day. Boat is going to splash a week from Friday and I did NOT want to deal with a problem there. Thanks much for you experience. GF