Ok, so my zincs are getting low on my saildrives.

I decided to haul out today (catamaran style - by drying out). I just spent a couple hours below the boat wallowing around in the mud like a pig trying to get my damn prop nuts off, and they won't budge! RRR!!

They're on tight, which is good considering I lost a prop last spring because the nut backed off. However, I can't get the leverage I need in the mud to spin the nut off the shaft.

One reason I have a catamaran is reduced haul out expenses. Now, I have to haul out to change my zincs. If there were a sandy area, I might have been able to do it, but sinking into foot deep mud just doesn't give you the leverage needed to get this done.

If I build a boat (or buy one, or keep this one), I'm definitely going to reduce underwater metal to a bare minimum. What a waste to haul out to put some zincs on.

And... a diver can't do it because you need to use Locktite on the hardware to keep it from falling off on saildrives. I've joined Shu in having boat problems.

How much do they charge to haul out a cat of your size?
It would seem there is some alternative to Locktite, maybe a large Nylock type nut or drill the shaft and install a cotter pin. Is there room for a jam nut?
I have locked threads before by using a punch and making a small dimple in the threads which will stop a nut from backing off but can be threaded off with a wrench.

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What the hell did I just do

What? No jokes about my nuts??

I thought for sure this crowd would have a field day.

Shu, the saidrive is a bit of a different animal. You can see how it's set up here.

The "nut" is part #64-67. It's a cone with threads inside it mating onto the prop shaft. I just can't seem to get the leverage while sinking in mud.

I like your ideas, Shu. Do you think there might be a way to keep all this crap (see diagram again) together without Locktite?

Oh yeah... I found a great deal on a haul out... $200 for a short haul!

So I guess I'll probably do that. It would be nice to try to find a way to minimize hauling out for something like this though.

I've been looking at you diagram, but don't see any options if I'm looking at it correctly.

I was tempted to joke about your nuts...but being a good boy today!

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Kemah, Tx.

Sully,

Cant come up with an original nuts joke. How about attacing the leverage problem. Is there a way to put a piece of plywood down so that you can stand on top of that to work or perhaps a scaffolding plank. Either of these might give you enough terra frima to get your nuts off. (double intendre intended)

Charlie

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In keeping with personal traditions I am going to leave your nuts alone!
Charlie's idea about a platform may help, but the haul out is ridiculos just to change zincs.
How would a diver get the leverage necessary to remove them underwater?

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What the hell did I just do

Yeah, Charlie's idea is pretty good. Of course, the tide is on its way back in and the entire thing is back underwater. So... maybe for another day, I could try that plywood trick. One other problem is that it's so damn mucky that my rudders went in far enough to tip the boat back a little and bring the saildrives too close to the ground to get the leverage (while standing in mud). Maybe I can find a place with less mud... but I don't know... Where I am right now you either have mud, or you have rocks. Hauling out to change zincs is definitely ridiculous. I'm against it! ha ha

I'm not sure a diver would be able to change these. Too much leverage needed and of course, if you have to use LockTite, it doesn't cure underwater.

Bummer. I think I have to eat the haulout charge. Guess I'll have a look at the charts to see if I can find any sandy bottoms. Not very likely in Maine.

Try an air impact and use gorilla glue on the threads.

I can't use air impact. There is no traditional nut. That, and I have no compressor aboard the boat. The "nut" is a cone you have to stick a pry rod through to loosen.

Thanks for the idea - and I would go with it - if I were in the yard.