Other people's projects

I am going to have to give some props to my friend Bill. He has been fighting a propshaft removal for about 5 days now. His strut broke and his prop gouged a hole into his hull. So, before he hauls out to fix the damage, he went ahead and pulled the prop out in the water to save lay-day fees in the yard.

Many people were surprised about the desire to pull a shaft in the water, but it was no big deal once it was done. What was a big deal was just getting it off the engine. He ended up filing the key down flush to the shaft (after 4 full days of nonstop banging and swearing). But now it is out and he wins.

Here is the engine compartment with a bung stuck in the packing gland after the shaft removal. This picture doesn't show it well, but this is a very small space with little access. You can only get one arm in here at a time.

The shaft, removed. The end of the strut where it sheared: Bill, after finally getting it out.