Hull Cleaning Information

[hullscrubber]

What fstbttms said, that pretty well sums it up. Also, don't drop the #*&@ key, especially over a silty bottom...

 

[sterlingMarineService]

I do that all the time but on land!

 

[fstbttms]

...don't drop the #*&@ key, especially over a silty bottom...

Good point. To that end I always slide the prop off with the key facing up so it is less likely to go anywhere when the prop comes off. Another tip- leave one of the nuts on the threads when using the prop puller. The prop may pop free with quite a bit of force. If the nut is not left on, the prop will fly off the end of the shaft and go to the bottom. Also, when using the puller (any puller) first get it good and tight on the prop. Then bang the hell out of it on the after end with your pipe wrench or small sledge (don't bang on the prop!) After a few blows, retension the puller, then bang some more. If the prop doesn't come off right away, take the puller off and reposition it in a different spot on the prop and repeat the process. Pressure, pounding and persistance are the keys. The prop will come off eventually.

 

[fstbttms]

If the nut is not left on, the prop will fly off the end of the shaft and go to the bottom.

I also keep a lanyard on my pullers so I can tie them to the prop shaft, because they will also want to head to the bottom when the prop breaks free.

 

[sterlingMarineService]

Thanks for the insight. Have u ever pulled tunnel thrusters props?!

 

[fstbttms]

Thanks for the insight. Have u ever pulled tunnel thrusters props?!

Are you talking about a bow thruster? I'm not sure I've ever done that. Pretty sure I don't want to. Just about everything concerning bow thrusters is a PITA.

 

[sterlingMarineService]

Yeah. A bow thruster/tunnel thruster.... It seems like the same thing excpet their is no room for a prop puller

 

[fstbttms]

My guess is that thruster props don't need a puller. Like saildrive and outdrive props, they probably ride on a lubricated splined shaft and just slide off, once you get the nut off.

 

[mrfixitchapman]

Okay, I defer to the larger experience base here, but I got called to yank a sailboat prop that nobody's puller could remove. Magilla Gorilla tightened the nuts and it looked like a LocTite product was applied, too. Green hard plastic was on the bore of the prop when it DID come off. I used an air drill to drill three 1/4" holes on the face of the center boss parallel to the shaft, then threaded the holes 5/16" fine thread. My Mac Deluxe Bolt Grip puller had that beauty off the shaft in less that 2 minutes. It is trickier underwater, but if you can get a serious puller on it, it WILL see things your way.

DC

 

[sterlingMarineService]

Why did u have to drill the holes?!?!