Sabreman wrote: 1. Any good marina has a hydraulic press that will extract the cutlass bearing without shaft removal. I've seen it done but that is not how I did it. (I'm omitting your comment about your being cheap.
) ...I am too, so it's ok.)
This hydraulic press has me wondering. I guess it is attached from inside the boat and pushes the bearing out toward the prop. I'm thinking this is going to be the answer - I hope so. And I'm not doubting anything you say, but I assumed the space in the stern tube had a reduced diamater forward of the bearing which would not allow anything to pass aft on the propshaft, and push out the bearing. Hopefully you are right. ...I hope, I hope. I don't want to spend 3 or 4 days, and a thousand dollars to put in a $20 cutlass bearing.
Thanks to everyone who offered their help so far, and any more help is greatly appreciated. I really am looking for a quick and simple repair. I've already spent 10 days in the boatyard getting the boat ready to make the trip to Key West. We considered doing the cutlass in the boatyard but it had just the slightest wiggle and I thought it would be ok for another year. So we sailed to Pine Island, tied it up, and left it for 2 monthes. But the friend that I'm buying the boat from is meticulous about his boats, insists the cutlass is causing vibration, and should be replaced.
Thanks Again ...and any more suggestions are appreciated