Home

Cutless Bearing


The standard Cutless Bearing on an Alberg 30 is 1 3/8" O.D. X 7/8" I.D. The Buck Algonquin name is Barracuda. This will change, of course, if you've changed to a 1" shaft.

To replace the cutless bearing, remove the two bolts holding the cast cutless bearing housing to the hull, and unscrew the casting from the stern tube. Many people get into trouble by trying to pry it off, but it's threaded onto the stern tube which should remain in the hull.

If it's hard to turn, heat the flange of the housing with a propane torch to soften the caulk sealing out the water.

There are two set screws that hold the cutless bearing in. Remove these set screws and press the cutless bearing out of the housing. Press in the new one and replace the set screws.

Note that there is a water inlet at the forward end of the housing. Drill through this inlet to make a water hole through the brass shell of the cutless bearing. This provides the lubricating water flow. (Some say that these holes are not necessary for a cutless bearing this small.)

When reinstalling the cutless bearing housing, caulk the flange and bolts well. It is these surfaces that keep the water out of the boat. I like to use 3M 5200 for this because of its adhesive power. You can always heat the flange to soften the caulk when removing it.

Note: Rick Leach has through-bolted his stern tube casting, but that seems an unusual approach.

Boatowners Mechanical And Electrical Manual book cover Boatowners Mechanical And Electrical Manual by Nigel Calder

An in-depth reference to almost every essential system found on a sailboat. Calder has well-considered strategies for everything. Granted, there are good alternatives to some of his approaches, but he won't lead you astray. This is a book you can trust. Now expanded in its second edition.

Other books by Nigel Calder

(Note: commissions earned from this link help defray the costs of this website)



Amazon Associates logo

Privacy and other policies
Site copyright © 1995-2025 by George Dinwiddie, all rights reserved
Site history
Send inquiries to webmaster@alberg30.org
Page last modified: Friday 03-Feb-2023