stern tube problem

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by urisvan, Jan 23, 2014.

  1. urisvan
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 237
    Likes: 5, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 53
    Location: istanbul

    urisvan Senior Member

    I have a long keel boat with stern hung ruder.
    My stern tube that the shaft runs through it is leaking. of course the hole that stern tube is in, is in the stern post. And i saw some rot in the stern post.
    I think i need to take out the tube and see the condition of the hole and the stern post. Isn't it? Otherwise it an make bigger problems later?
     
  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Yes, you got the right idea. A quick patch now will just make the rotted area increase.
     
  3. urisvan
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 237
    Likes: 5, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 53
    Location: istanbul

    urisvan Senior Member

    one problem is beause of the salt water, the threads are squezed and i couldn' manage to turn the shaft bearing for now. what can i do for it?
     
  4. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Do you mean the stuffing box that is inside or the outside with the rubber cutlass bearing?
     
  5. urisvan
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 237
    Likes: 5, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 53
    Location: istanbul

    urisvan Senior Member

    yes Gonzo. I try from outside. As you know it has to be turned to be able to open but i forced it with a wrench but it doesnt turn. Also It is impossible to apply any chemical like wd40.
     
  6. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Could you post a photo? It would really help.
     
  7. urisvan
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 237
    Likes: 5, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 53
    Location: istanbul

    urisvan Senior Member

    here some photos
     

    Attached Files:

  8. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    How do you know the stern tube is leaking? I can remove that tube, but you really don't want to watch or know how it's done. It's like watching your child get operated on without anesthetic, while at the same time standing bare foot on hot coals.
     
  9. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    I don't think the tube is threaded into the wood. They are set in some kind of bedding or caulk. Usually it takes a lot of heat and heavy pounding to remove them. However, if you found some soft/deteriorated wood around it, that should make it easier. Some of them have the flanges threaded into a tube, and others just slide over it. A section of tube is fairly cheap, so the easiest thing is to put a large pipe wrench at the end of the flange and turn it even if it breaks.
     
  10. urisvan
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 237
    Likes: 5, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 53
    Location: istanbul

    urisvan Senior Member

    yes there are two flanges and the tube is threaded to both of them.
    last year i could turn the outside flange and take it out easily. But i made a big mistake that i didn't put any sealing in the threads when i put it back. and because of the water some corrosion occured in the threads
    so i killed myself last year.

    So as you say i will try to turn it from outside and hope it will not break or break from a good point so i can use the flanges again?
     
  11. urisvan
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 237
    Likes: 5, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 53
    Location: istanbul

    urisvan Senior Member

    Hello,
    i solved the first part of the problem and maneged to take out the parts out. I am glad that the situation is not bad.

    The parts of the stern tube are like in the pictures.

    Now, the question is while i am screwing the ends to the tube again, what should i put in the threads? First to make the connection watertight and to be able to unscrew easlily when i need to.

    Regards
    Ulas
    DSC05225.JPG

    DSC05227.JPG

    DSC05224.JPG

    DSC05228.JPG
     
  12. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    I would recommend polysulphide (lifecaulk). It lasts for decades and is soft enough that parts can be removed without breaking
     
  13. urisvan
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 237
    Likes: 5, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 53
    Location: istanbul

    urisvan Senior Member

    I can find sikaflex here. Can i use sikaflex instead? And which one?

    Regards
    Ulas
     
  14. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Sika makes Duoflex. However, I don't think it comes in small packages.
     

  15. urisvan
    Joined: Nov 2005
    Posts: 237
    Likes: 5, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 53
    Location: istanbul

    urisvan Senior Member

    I will use what i can find. Do you have another suggstion? What about grease? Or i have Tef-gel, do you reommend it?
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.