Norwester 3 Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 Has anyone here made or have seen a composite propeller shaft strut? My old stainless one is failing. Bronze ones seem really heavy. I was thinking one made with g10 possibly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aardvarkash10 881 Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 You'd cast it wouldn't you? With a HDPE bearing in appropriate material? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Psyche 571 Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 I made one out of west 105, carbon unis and biax because that what I had lying around but you could make one from e glass which will be perfectly adequate and cheaper. Went to Lustys and got a standard cutlass bearing and cut the carbon to length wet it out and laid it up by draping over the bearing at the right angle . Made it overnight then shaped and fitted it the next day, still working so far 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 375 Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 Stainless not ideal down there, Bronze is perfect and strong and appears to have some vibration damping properties compared with the carbon launch ones I have experienced, the weight is negligible and down where you want it , unfortunately the two foundries that understood the requirements (both in Porana road are both closed). Dont use HDPE for a cutless bearing or you will have to machine it half worn out to allow for the water swell, use a brass shell / rubber cutless or Vesconite both of which have decades and decades of history in that application. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 375 Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 Hey Psyche do the class measurers know that you have carbon mods attached to the hull ? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Psyche 571 Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 I went to Chatfields and they quoted about a grand for a bronze one with a cutlass, a composite one was basically nothing using leftovers plus the bearing. Now I remember how I did it, I made a 150 x 6 x 75 laminate first, then hot glued the cutlass bearing onto it at the right angle and did the rest of the layup over that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 375 Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Back when it was Chatfield engineering a standard 1" strut with replaceable bearing and foot (not the shaky tongue mount style) was $320.00 plus gst circa 2006 But they owned and operated their own foundry and fully equipped fettling bay and machine shop. No longer the case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bad Kitty 226 Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 We've made some carbon ones for Bad Kitty, can't post a photo for some technophobe reason? I'll try & send a photo to IT & see if he can post it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,184 Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Nope, would not upload for me either. Sent message and files to editor. Happy I don't have to do this any more!! 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bad Kitty 226 Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Norwester PM me if you want to chat & I'll get some pics to you. It was only a couple of hundy in materials, but labor is up there. Maybe 50% more expensive than bronze? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LE Bb 23 Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 The very beginings of the last one we did, well if we could upload the pics Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,184 Posted November 11, 2022 Share Posted November 11, 2022 Pic uploads working again. These are Bad Kitty's strut pics... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LE Bb 23 Posted November 11, 2022 Share Posted November 11, 2022 Our last custom one off 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,523 Posted November 12, 2022 Share Posted November 12, 2022 Last or most recent? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Norwester 3 Posted November 12, 2022 Author Share Posted November 12, 2022 Those look really good. I am not sure about carbon, probably a glass one would be fine as it is only for a Davidson 29. I will take photos and measurements of my existing one. Thankyou for all the good information. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.