J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Marketplace Sails & Equipment for Sale Wanted - bronze shaft strut for 1" diameter shaft

Last summer during a rescue we managed to wrap a line around our prop shaft resulting in severely bending the strut. We managed to straighten the strut, but in the fall when we pulled the boat, we noticed some hairline stress cracks in the strut. Turns out those cracks are not deep. For piece of mind, we have attempted to grind out andweld the areas but could not get the weld material to hold.
The strut will work as is. We used it while bent and after straightening (by bending it back while still in the water). Still, would feel more comfortable replacing the strut this spring before launch.
Would consider both new or used. Any suggestions on where to go for new? Any one have a used one?

Separate note, the one design specs say the prop will be made for a 3/4" shaft. I have a newer boat with a 1" shaft. Is there somewhere in the rules that makes allowance for the 1" shaft?
Contact Russ Atkinson, 734-341-8274, sailwildcat@comcast.net

Russ,

The OD specs do not contain all the production modifications made. For example, the boat was manufactured with 2GM, 2QM and 2YM series Yanmar engines. Additionally the boat was manufactured with 3/4" or 1" shaft diameters. In the past, the class has determined that any delivered configuration from the factory was controlled by J/Boats drawings and meets the requirement for one design.

You may be able to take your existing strut to a foundry and have a new one cast and machined from it. Bristol Bronze in RI is a possible source. You can also check with J/Boats to see if they still have a print for the strut.

Thanks Bill

Russ, I upsized the shaft on Zephyr V2.0 to 1" used the same strut with a different cutlass bearing. Worked out great in the end as we have a much better balance.