At the beginning of December when the weather was unusually still and sunny I thought I'd take my pilot boat down to the lake for a run. I found the prop shaft had become very stiff although it had spun very freely the last time I'd used it back in the summer. It had had some lithium car grease on it.

I took the shaft out, cleaned it, put a bit of vaseline on shaft as an experiment (having been suggested that by someone I met on a boat stand at an exhibition). I put a drop of oil on bearings at each end of prop shaft (and also on motor bearings). Shaft then ran freely and still does 2 months later. Also didn't get any water in hull.

Query therefore, what is the best way to lubricate prop shaft? I did fit an oiling tube to it so I could just run a bit of oil into tube, have tried a bit of bike grease before as well. Not sure why car grease hardened up though. Have put a spot of oil on bearings as well.

Also does u/j need oiling?

Have looked up threads/articles etc on this but not sure what's best. Thanks.