Help! Metric prop shaft creating road block! 1972 Dufour Arpege.

[lawsonmitchell]

I can't seem to find any local shops willing to deal with getting a prop to replace the one I lost over two weeks ago! Help. I don't think I can afford a new prop shaft, cutlass bearing, stern gland and coupling just to switch to a 1" prop shaft. And no one wants to venture a guess as to the right diameter and pitch to the prop without seeing the old one. Well, if I hadn't have lost the old one, I wouldn't need a new one!

I want to go sailing again. HELP!
Lawson

[celenoglu]

To find the correct pitch and diameter of the prop, engine horsepower and reduction gear ratio, and the direction of the prop are needed. The diameter of your shaft is another problem, but a minor one. If it is metric and you measure it very close to an inch the diameter is probably 25 mm.

[Boasun]

A Machinist can turn either the shaft or bore the new prop so that they will fit each other. You don't need to replace everything under the sun for this.

[lawsonmitchell]

It is indeed a 25mm shaft. That I know. And I can find a prop with 1 1/8 inch bore that I can fit a bore reducer bushing to go from 1 1/8 inch to 25mm. The problem is also finding the prop nuts. Any resources? My local (Tampa Bay) prop shops won't discuss this option. Saying the bushing is of questionable durability and they have no clue where to get the prop nuts and anodes for my 25mm shaft.

Thanks,
Lawson

[pedcab]

Originally Posted by Boasun

A Machinist can turn either the shaft or bore the new prop so that they will fit each other. You don't need to replace everything under the sun for this.

Or he can even adjust both!

I'm also having some trouble in seeing what's the big deal here...

[tommays]

Well

A 25mm shaft is .984 So the real issue is the angle of taper they CUT were the prop mounted which in all likelyhood is going to be different than and inch shaft and result in a bad fit if you cant find a metric prop

If you look around a BIT you will find the standard tapers are a LOT different

[pedcab]

Why is it that adjusting both the shaft and the prop is out of the question?

[xsboats]

Try Ellis Propellor in Jacksonville , Fl. I had a similar problem with a customer's Moody 33 and they were able to help with sizing of the prop, producing it and prop nuts.

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by lawsonmitchell

My local (Tampa Bay) prop shops won't discuss this option. Saying the bushing is of questionable durability and they have no clue where to get the prop nuts and anodes for my 25mm shaft

The marinas are full of boats with metric running gear. What kind of two-bit prop shop can't even supply 25mm zincs? I would say you should consider buying a new 25mm prop & nuts directly from the manufacturer. Here two of the best:

Campbell Sailer
West by North Enterprises - Campbell Sailer

Michigan Wheel
Homepage

Here's a great source for zincs online:

BoatZincs.com
Metric Shaft Zinc Anodes

[tommays]

Up this way a new 1" shaft 4' long is 175 dollars So theres a limit to whats really cheeper than just chasing down a metric prop as they have to some place