You need to get someone who knows what they're doing to work on this. You're way over your head and the yard isn't helping. This is not a DIY job.
This really is not a big deal. As others have said, you just need the right experienced people with the right tools and equipment. I have never come across a prop we couldn’t get off and I’m talking props that are bigger and heavier than your whole boat. Every project has the right tools and equipment. I do not recommend trying to do this yourself. You run a real risk of hurting someone or causing serious damage. You just need to find a yard or contractor that has the tools and experience.
Such a cool video! I'm amazed by how they seemed to know, almost to the second, when that thing was finally going to move...
Thanks brain trust! I made notes of all the do's and don'ts. One last question. My service guy wants me to call a local tech with this puller:
I have to ask; After all of these attempts, How are the shaft end and threads holding up? I have witness the threaded end bent out of true also.
That's essentially like the set-up used in the video, so yes. Make sure there's plenty of heat arranged for it. Also, some way to keep the prop from flying off the end of the shaft. In your picture, the hub is too narrow to space the puller drilled holes far enough apart to allow for the nut to be on the shaft, it appears to me. You may be luckier in that regard and be able to have a nut on. Just a cotter key alone could shear, maybe.
This type of puller should be a good option. You do run the risk of pulling the threads in your holes on the prop but if they apply enough heat they should jump before you pull any threads. Highly likely the cutlass bearings will need replacing due to heat damage. Do you have spares available or readily available near you?
The strut bearings are 2 months old :-( Pulling the threads out? Geez maybe I should leave my new Veems in the box. Thanks for the good information.
That's very much the style puller the diver used on mine in Coinjock. Instead of heat (underwater) he applied pressure with the hydraulics and then wrapped on the hub with his sledge. Good setup.
Yes 2 months or so. Seminole: Shafts sent out Hull bearings added Strut bearings removed and replaced Laser target to couplings Engines raised, shims added Treasure coast reconditioned the props recommended a new set Boat runs awesome now. Smooth as glass My new Veems just arrived
Make sure the yard laps the props to the shafts, also check the keyway fit to both the shafts and the props. They shouldn't have stuck on the shafts like that after only 2 months.
To be fair, I’ve seen props nearly fall off a shaft on a vessel on the hard when the yard went to remove them, only to see them stick hard later in that same haul when the yard went to remove them after installing them mistakenly ahead of the bearings. Stuff happens. Fits are tight.
If the props are in the sun for a few hours and then mounted on cool (in the shade) shafts, It's usually a bear to get them off the next time.
OK so here is the update on removing my props! Hauled Monday morning to be out all week for bottom maintenance and finally get my new Veem props installed. We scheduled a running gear specialist from 40 miles south to come up a remove my props. Tuesday morning he arrives to remove and install the Veems. He installs a pretty beefy puller in the two threaded holes on the small prop hub. Torques it up and fires up his torch and applies heat to the hub. His assistant taps on the shaft end with a hammer repeatedly. After 45 minutes he packs up and goes home. Props still securely on the shafts.
Sorry to hear about that. Concerned that your next steps are to either drop the rudders and pull the shaft or even cut the shaft. Then replace with new, as the prop taper is probably shot with all the effort to remove the prop.