Good Stainless Prop Shaft Shaft Manufacturer in US

[silverp40]

Hello all, our 44 year old bronze propeller strut is showing significant signs of dezincing. Plus one of the 2 electrical grounding screws that penetrate the hull have developed a small leak.


Does anyone have experience with a good shaft strut manufacturer in the US, maybe Europe (our boat is in Greece).


Would probably go with a stainless strut since the shaft, prop and rudder gudgeon are all stainless. Duplex over 316L stainless would be even better.


Thanks in advance

[ItDepends]

This is a tough one, since sizes, shapes and angles need to be aligned. A “bolt in” replacement will be virtually impossible to source.

Faced with the same issue on an older boat, I ended up having a composite strut built. Built to the same angle as the original, the attachment to the boat was an extension of the fin that fit in a hull slot and was then glassed in place. Worked well.

[Patrick of M]

Hmmm interesting solution. By composite do you mean carbon fiber or something else?

[Bowdrie]

These people might be worth a try.
Stainless for struts would probably be a total custom fabrication at horrendous expense.
https://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/marine-struts

[Rumrace]

The steel should be easy to source Canada US Germany Japan. You need an artist and no welds in the engine room. The composite shaft would be strong as heck. Some fellas on another thread have not digested that yet. Keep in mind stainless deprived of oxygen is a terrible thing. The bronze shaft must have been a lovely piece once.

[skipperpete]

Originally Posted by Rumrace

The steel should be easy to source Canada US Germany Japan. You need an artist and no welds in the engine room. The composite shaft would be strong as heck. Some fellas on another thread have not digested that yet. Keep in mind stainless deprived of oxygen is a terrible thing. The bronze shaft must have been a lovely piece once.

Despite the title, the conversation is about shaft STRUTS and not composite propeller shafts.

[ItDepends]

Originally Posted by Patrick of M

Hmmm interesting solution. By composite do you mean carbon fiber or something else?

It was mostly polyester/glass, with a layer of carbon inside. The guy who designed it convinced me that it would be the best way to prevent vibration. What ever, it did the trick. Worked a treat. The glass/carbon was wrapped around a bronze tube that matched the outer diameter of the cutlass bearing.

The guy doing the layup was an artist. It was beautiful. Should have been on deck instead of underneath!

[silverp40]

Thanks all for the replies. I realize that its going to be a custom job, this is not a boat that had a thousand plus hulls built.


ItDepends, do you still have the contact for the glass artist? It might be that a solid layup job might be also feasible.


BTW, stainless under the water line works also. As long as its good quality. My prop (over 20 years), shaft and gudgeon have been perfect.

[ItDepends]

Mine was done at Berkeley Marine Center in Berkeley California. It's been a while!

[silverp40]

Ill try to contact them then...thanks!

[Searles]

Use the old one,as a pattern get a new one cast in alu bronze the easiest way to go .⛵️⚓️

[silverp40]

Yes I'll pull it and bring it back to the States. Definitely need it for the new one , has to be very precise

[michaeld]

If you bring your boat to south Florida, I highly recommend Frank & Jimmie's Propeller Shop
(954) 467-7723
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HWALTTXqDyPTvfFS8

[Rumrace]

Sorry confused the tube that the prop shaft and Cutlass bearing go into made in modern Nylon Hybrids makes great sense. More durable than metal
Several Nylon like plastic have poly carbon or carbon fibre added. Don’t count it out as a drive shaft either. I think you’ll find most production boats are heading that way and “ experts “ are mistaken it for epoxy or polyester. A chap posted a thread of a composite tube being installed in his boat. It’s no a composite like layer but one of DuPonts magic like nylon but much better.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Rumrace

Several Nylon like plastic have poly carbon or carbon fibre added. Don’t count it out as a drive shaft either.

You do realize that anything with carbon in it and contacting a steel shaft flange or manganese bronze or aluminum propeller would destroy them in short order through galvanic corrosion, right ?