Worn Cutlass Bearing?

[Tmacmi]

I hear a high pitched whining noise at specific RPM when I am underway. It sounds like it is coming from the cutlass bearing area.

It also just started happening when the propshaft is freewheeling.

Is this a sign of a worn cutlass bearing?

The boat is a Beneteau 331

[leecea]

Very interested in the answer to this.

My situation is a variation:

- I have always had a whining noise under engine when in a specific rpm range but it goes away above or below that range.
- This winter I changed the cutlass bearing
- Now I still have the same noise in roughly the same rpm range BUT it also happens when sailing at certain speeds and the prop is freewheeling

[coopec43]

Maybe this will help solve the problem?

whining noise in prop shaft - Boat Building & Maintenance


Canal World
https://www.canalworld.net › forums › 38764-whining-n...

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31 Aug 2005 — What happens is that a harmonic resonation is set up by the propellor presenting itself as a high pitched whine as you experience. The good news ...

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If you try eveything listed above and it still whistle have a look at this


https://www.google.com.au/search?q=w...client=gws-wiz

[leecea]

Thanks for posting all that - it will take a while to look through

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by leecea

Thanks for posting all that - it will take a while to look through

You've got one hour to report back with a solution.

[Tmacmi]

Originally Posted by coopec43

Maybe this will help solve the problem?

Thank you for taking the time to provide such a detailed reply. This is much appreciated.

[Tmacmi]

Originally Posted by coopec43

Maybe this will help solve the problem?

I am vaguely concerned that the shaft may have been bent.

I wrapped a line around the propeller last season. However it seems unlikely to me....there is only about 4" of shaft exposed through the hull and bearing and the force was tortional not from side to side.

[Cheechako]

I've not heard a loose cutlass bearing whine being rubber, but anything is possible I suppose. Aft transmission bearing bad? Put it in gear and see if the whining stops, it sounds like it likely will. If so it's the shaft, cutlass or ...maybe it's the aft transmission bearing!

[skipperpete]

Has the Beneteau got the soft rubber cutlass bearing ( easy push fit) held by 2 plastic screws? Maybe the bearing has popped out of the strut and the shaft is running on the bronze strut.

[Tmacmi]

Originally Posted by skipperpete

Has the Beneteau got the soft rubber cutlass bearing ( easy push fit) held by 2 plastic screws? Maybe the bearing has popped out of the strut and the shaft is running on the bronze strut.

Yes, it’s exactly that. I am hoping that the cutlass bearing has broken free and is spinning in its housing

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

I hear a high pitched whining noise at specific RPM when I am underway. It sounds like it is coming from the cutlass bearing area.

It also just started happening when the propshaft is freewheeling.

Is this a sign of a worn cutlass bearing?

The boat is a Beneteau 331

Not to be pedantic, but is it Cut-less?

Regardless, after a prop change due to hitting a piece of submerged wood and finding the prop unrepairable due to excessive pinking, I had a whine from about 1,700 to about 2,000 under low power.

I spent an afternoon in Uncomfortable Boat Maintenance Position #3 and aligned my prop shaft (it was well out), vertically to within 0.0005" and horizontally to 0.002" and it whines no more

[skipperpete]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

Yes, it’s exactly that. I am hoping that the cutlass bearing has broken free and is spinning in its housing

Yeah, it could have exited the strut till it hit the propeller hub and is now spinning with the shaft….. it’s highly unlikely but definitely possible considering the light push fit of those Beneteau/ Jeaneau rubber bearings, (cutless- cutlass?????)