Stern tube failure...HELP !!

[SEA3PO]

I have a Seahorse (brand) 21' tug..(1981) and I just replaced my Yanmar 3QM30 diesel with a new Universal Kubota 25 hp three cylinder.... no problem there...it is a much, much better engine...(half the weight...and quiet)

Once finished....I tried putting the boat in gear and heard a horrible noise...turned out to be the stern tube bushing (Johnson shaft tube bearing)... to replace it I have to pull the prop, driveshaft and coupler,,,Horrible job as I am in the mountains (Lake Almanor) and do not have access to proper pullers ...or anyone knowledgeable ......My question...

What would be the problem if I just made a driver that fits over the shaft and drove the bearing up onto the shaft further....and replaced the worn bearing with a new one....that would leave the old bearing free on the shaft...it would still be on the shaft but not loose enough to make noise...held by nothing so it could spin or do whatever it likes...(there is nothing in the stern tube)

Yes, I could do it properly but that will take me at least a week of work..most of which would be to get the driveshaft out....probably have to dig a deep hole in the ground to have enough clearance to get the shaft out...I can't lift the boat it is on a trailer and not high enough

I need ideas...opinions or jokes that will make me feel better

Joel Rapose
Kea
Lake Almanor...Kalifornia

 

[Dale777]

You can have an Acme prop puller delivered to you by Wednesday this week by Amazon. Amazon will even deliver a shovel to you by the same day so that you can dig the required hole in the ground.

😉 You did say, "I need ideas...opinions or jokes that will make me feel better" 😉

 

[SEA3PO]

I just pulled everything apart...made a puller and removed the prop...pulled the pins and using a bit of lube got the stern tube bushing loose...but in doing that...I found the vibration I thought was the bushing really was the housing assembly has cracked the fiberglass around where the assembly (that holds the bushing ) is attached to the boat...it was glassed in...so major repair coming... I am planning on grinding a large area around the assembly and using woven roving and epoxy I will re-bed the assembly...I think the long strands of the woven roving should give it the strength it needs...probably will take it back 4" on the sides and 6 or 8" above and below the assembly...using West Systems Epoxy..(I really like that stuff )

Damm, damm, damm.

Joel

 

[SEA3PO]

Not so bad....I got in there with a grinder...got down into the fiberglass ....and on the sides...all around the assembly itself...(brass)....Wet it all with epoxy and then did a lay up of matting to make a seal around the entrance to the assembly and around the brass part....I have to wait 90 minutes then I can start laying in the woven roving and then a top layer of cloth mat....it really is going well...looks great...and once I get about four layers of well set material (epoxy/roving) it will be exceptionally strong...much stronger than the polyester based fiberglass it was originally set in...West Systems Epoxy will bond to itself well so I can do multiple layups without any problems. I graduated from Chico State with a degree in Plastic Engineering...so I like playing with resin...

Joel
Kea (the tug)

 

[Larry H]

Get a boat, they said.....It will be fun, they said.....You get to play with goo, they said...... 😀 :lol: :shock:

 

[Matty]

Question. Is it your intent to use this boat as a flower bed or at the least in water no deeper than waste deep?

 

[SEA3PO]

Today I talked to a Marine Surveyor and he told me that it was not at all uncommon problem and that many manufacturers glass the stern tube assembly into the hull....and that my repair was proper... it sure will be strong enough...it seems like it is going well.

Joel

 

[LAKERtoo]

.. where can we see a picture of a Seahorse 21 Tug ? .. google does not bring up anything but some mega yachts 40+ feet .. Rob

 

[SEA3PO]

OK did it... I now have an album with some pictures...