Shaft strut support

[PhantomBoatwork]

Need some experienced views on this. Is it better to use a stainless weldment for a prop shaft support or is the standard bronze casting the best way to go. There is enough prop eating junk around here to make me lean toward a V shaped shaft support out of welded 316 stainless. I have a great workshop with a decent metal lathe and stainless welders are three a penny around Houston. This is for my soon to be launched 44 Constant Camber tri.

[GordMay]

Since you're able to build a Stainless Shaft Strut, and likely unable to cast a bronze strut ...
See ABYC P-6 PROPELLER SHAFTING SYSTEMS for design details.

[Mark Johnson]

16 years ago... I went with a bonded in bronze strut for it's hydrodynamic efficiency. Since then we live in fear of snagging a crab pot at speed! With our 5' + of exposed shaft, it would probably ruin the strut & $1,000 shaft!

If it ever comes to that, I would build a "V" shaped strut that I can make of carbon fiber.

In your case, that makes sense as well, but you have access and abilities with SS. I would use 316 SS, try to match the welding rods, and bond it to the shaft with an interior wire to a shaft brush. This way your shaft zinc will protect the strut as well.

You never know until you try it, but you may have success with a rough sand, etch / prime process, and painting the strut with bottom paint.

Our bronze strut is galvaniclly protected like described above, and we bottom paint it successfully.

Mark