Installing Prop shaft

Hi,

Just getting back into all this. I'm building a tug from a plan which shows the prop shaft installed dead horizontal. Is this recommended as it would seem to increase the chance of water ingress thru the prop tube, or should I install at a slight angle which would also lift the motor of the bottom of the boat.

Advice very welcome

not if it's packed well enough with a grease......I pack mine with a combination of vaseline and carbon powder, and never get any ingress of water.......the only problen with putting the shaft in horizontally is the clearance between the shaft andthe bottom of the boat for the motor connection.

neil.

I would say that its not so much the angle of the dangle but more like if the inboard end of the propshaft is below the waterline that matters. A propshaft with its end above the waterline should be well safe. Obviously for your tug you have no option. The shaft i would imagine has to be horizontal so as to get the propellor thrust right.

Neil, grease !! you naughty man. Introducing such a CONTENTIOUS statement to this forum!!

John. In the past the topic of shaft sealing is something hotly debated. I personally use nylon washers either end of the shaft and adjusted for the tiniest, if not none, amount of play. A drop of oil then keeps the bearings happy (outer one water lubricated ). Nobody will agree with that.

I would not worry about a small amount of water getting in.

Ashley

Ahh, but ashley............always one to look after the environment.........vasceline is bio degradable, and we're all made up from a percentage of carbon, lol

mind you....plays havoc with the stitching in my trunks when I sail it in the private swimming pool

Edited By neil howard-pritchard on 25/04/2012 08:34:54

Thanks both for the replies. Gives me the re-assurance I need to press on!