Prop shaft removal, pull rudder?

[markrsimon]

'92 400 Express
Do I have to pull the rudders to get the shafts out? It appears on some newer boats, the rudder is offset -- however on mine, its seems dead center. Looking for insight before I make my next move.

 

[Strecker25]

the picture makes it look like you do, out 2002 is offset. Why are you removing, to do the cutless?

 

[Soulshine]

I sure does look that way.

Not very considerate engineering if true.

I’d turn them while eyeballing for clearance. I have a friend with an older Chris Craft that thought the same thing but there was clearance at a certain rudder angle.

The leading edge of the rudder had a dog leg shape that allowed removal...barely.

 

[LMBoat]

What it you turn the rudders fully to port or strb? I can't tell from the pics, but sometimes rudder are cut in a way that when turned there is clearance for prop shaft removal.

 

[hughespat57]

Sometimes you just have to try...

It only needs to barely clear

 

[markrsimon]

Played around with it a bit -- and best case, the rudder needs to be perfectly straight. I also pulled the stuffing box out, which allows a bit of FWD play. Given the taper on the end of the shaft for the prop, I'm able to start squeaking it by the rudder, taking off a few layers of paint along the way. After maybe 6" it binds pretty good, and I have another 6-8" to go before it clear the stern tube - which would give me more play. I'm sure I could scratch things up and remove it, but the re-installation has me concerned. Dropping the rudders shouldn't be that bad given where I'm at -- I was just trying to avoid it if I could.

As for why -- the stuffing boxes are original (92 era), and don't turn freely at all. I need to get them off the boat to clean them up. Given the props have been sent out, and the cutlass bearing are pulled (to be replaced as well) -- figured it was just a simple step to pull the shaft and have that checked out too. Shaft coupler has already been removed.

Am I missing anything else maintenance wise while I'm this far in?

Props (sent out)
Shaft (will have it checked)
Cutlass Bearings (worn out, being replaced)
Stuffing box overhaul (or perhaps PSS seals)
Shaft Coupler (its solid, can I reuse or buy new)
Alignment​