Update on the cutlass bearing

Tashi Delek
Mike & Carol Kefford
Tue 6 Dec 2011 15:32

Mid day and Gilson the diver has been working underneath for an hour or so.  He has taken the rope cutter off and examined the bearing again.  Yep, it’s damaged.  He has also found another nugget of fishing net buried where the prop shaft goes into the boat. 

 

 

If he can remove the propeller he can change the bearing fairly easily.  He has a propeller removing gadget which should help.

 

We don’t really rate his chances of getting the prop off even with the device because we remember how much force was needed to do it when Tashi Delek was up on dry land.  If the prop won’t come off then the rudder will have to and that is a whole lot more complicated and a whole lot more water will come into the boat.

 

Here’s a picture of the prop shaft which should be surrounded by black rubber where it enters the tube.  You may be able to see that some is missing at the top.