June 2006

Earlier this spring we had a marina look into why our radar was not working properly. He looked at the unit and wanted to send it to the manufacturer for repair; he then said “by the way you need a new cutless bearing.”  I was floored; the boat was only seven years old. I have changed a cutless bearing before but that was in my 1975 Ericson 32, and that bearing was 20 years old. I immediately thought this guy was planning to take me to the cleaners and what other schemes did he have in store for us.

I went to the boat and sure enough there was about a quarter of an inch wiggle in the strut. I still believed the marina did something to cause it, especially when he came up with a quote of $735 to replace it. All I could think was “man this cutless bearing was going to cut deep”. Now, like most Catalina owners I am a firm DIY’er (Do It Yourself) and furthermore, I despise giving any more money than I have to, to marina owners.

After my wife calmed me down, I e-mailed Tom Senator, the 36MKII mechanical GURU, who has always given me sound advice in the past. His 36MKII is also a 1999 and he told me that he also had to replace his cutless bearing. We spoke of my mechanical abilities which are a step above the novice level, and I have already replaced a bearing, but the shaft was out of the strut on that project. It was at this point that Tom said those magic words “STRUT PRO”. What is magical about the STRUT PRO is that you can change your cutless bearing with the shaft in place.

He described this tool and gave me the web sight. He also told me the MAINSHEET edition he had written an article for. He next said if you want I will send it to you so you can use it. His sole proviso was to reimburse him for the shipping and to return it promptly because he had a list of other association members who needed it. Tom even provided me with the website of a bearing manufacturer in Tacoma, Washington who had the exact bearing for $55 including shipping. The marina quoted me $125 for the bearing alone.

Armed with the knowledge that the STRUT PRO and the new cutless bearing were both on their way I took great joy telling the marina “that’s okay I will change it myself”. Needless to say they were disappointed that this pigeon got away.  The only problem now was could I do it, because to go back with my tail between my legs would definitely add another digit to their estimate.

I received the package from Tom and during subsequent e-mails, he included a prop puller, custom made rachets deep enough to tighten the keel bolts, and the STRUT PRO. Now on paper or looking at it on the internet it looks like a tool but to see it in front of you it looks like a ray gun from the movie Mars Attacks. I scheduled a Saturday morning to make the switch. Everything I read about the STRUT PRO said that you can have it done in 15 minutes. I gave myself 4 hours.

I began with removing the prop. A note to novices like me – once pressure is applied, tap, not hit, tap the back of the prop collar and she will pop out. I used pressure only and wound up bending the last half inch of the threaded piece of shaft. But that is a story for another day.

The Strut Pro has a piece called a “collet” which is two halves of a tube; in this case the same size as the shaft of a Catalina 36, one inch. You put these two collets on the shaft forward of the strut and secure them with the Velcro straps provided. Next you place the STRUT PRO on the shaft. It is comprised of two one inch threaded rods that are attached to two heavy duty steel ends one of which looks like a square “horseshoe”. This opening of the horseshoe is customized for one inch, just like the shaft. Before you start do not forget to  REMOVE THE SET SCREWS. (No, I didn’t forget)

To remove the cutless bearing you place the Strut Pro on the shaft with the horseshoe end forward of the strut so it lines up with the collet. Now at this point you should have the horseshoe end lined up on the collet which is lined up at the old cutless bearing. Now the two threaded rods have a bolt head, I believe an inch and an eigtht, and a nut end which is positioned into a nut mold within the other heavy duty end of the strut pro.

I followed instructions and turned each bolt head five times, and went back and forth.  NOTE: Bring a gardeners knee pad - my boat was on gravel and I wound up using discarded cardboard. Wouldn’t you know it the cutless bearing started to slide right out of the strut. Once you get into a rhythm it goes smoothly. Do not let the collets go to far into the strut, leave enough to pull them out with pliers. The same for the last part of the old cutless bearing use pliers to finish. 

Once the old is out it is time for the new. With the bearing completely removed (slide it down and off the shaft), turn the bolt heads the other way to open the strut pro to its original length and remove it from the shaft. Before putting it back on the shaft it is recommended to push the new cutless bearing in the strut as far as you can by hand. To accommodate this I smeared Ivory liquid on the leading edge and got it in a little more than an inch.  Once that is done simply reverse the Strut Pro on the shaft. Do not over-think this.

 Now you want the “horseshoe” end aft of the strut with the new bearing between the horseshoe and the strut. Now repeat and give each bolt head five turns. After each set of turns make sure everything is aligned because you do not want kinks. I was amazed at how nicely the STRUT PRO slid the new bearing into the strut. Don’t forget to replace the set screws.

 I have not gone on the web sites of the other Catalina Classes so I do not if they have a STRUT PRO or for that matter if they have an “open tool box” policy. I would highly recommend, to any class of Catalina that has a cutless bearing, to invest in this tool.

We owners of Catalina 36s are very fortunate to have Tom Senator and Tom Sokoliski, two very knowledgeable men, who give up their valuable time and effort to help other sailors, most of whom they have never met. Tom Senator actually bought this tool himself and lends it out. I applaud our Commodore, Dennis Stovall, who saw the benefits of the STRUT PRO and reimbursed Tom Senator for the tool so now the 36 Association owns it.

For my own example; I was quoted $735 by the marina to replace the bearing. With the help of the Catalina 36 Association, changing the cutless bearing cost me $95.  That included $40 for shipping the STRUT PRO both ways, and $55 for the bearing.  I saved $640. This imaginary money was roughly half the cost of something very important; a Flex-O-Fold prop which is now on the boat (just like government; I saved half and then spent twice as much).

Fair Winds,
Tom Bolen
1999 Catalina 36 MKII, SPIRIT