advice on Islander 33 cutlass bearing

[Lotsawater]

I'm buying a 1968 Islander 33 which needs a new cutlass bearing. The prop shaft won't come out without taking off the rudder, right? So I believe the current owner, who is a good friend said he plans to cut off the back of the stern tube, twist and work the bearing over the shaft to the end. And the new bearing should go on this way too.

I have my doubts about this. Can you offer any help?

[Lotsawater]

Hello....... are the no I33 people out there, or anyone with knowledge of this?

[mbeland]

I don't have an Islander 33, but I wouldn't replace a cutlass bearing that way. Replacing a cutlass bearing without removing the shaft is begging for a long and costly repair job with a damaged shaft. It only has to be done every 10 years or so (unless something else is wrong), so it's not that big of a deal to remove the rudder, prop, and shaft and do the job right. In fact, it gives you a chance to check and realign the shaft, replace any shaft zincs, etc.

[thisisus]

the I29 we had, we pulled the shaft....the took a hacksaw and cut the bearing into a couple of pieces....took 20 minutes or so and not much problem. Can't imagine doing it with the shaft in.

Thisisus
I32