offcenter prop strut from the factory???

[rookie1]

a dockline tangled in the prop-diver removed it. hauled the boat for a new paint job. found the strut bent--heated it up with a torch{temporary fix for now}. 1973 35' model. why is the bronze strut offcenter? none of the other boats in the yard are like this.

 

[Loren Beach]

Quite a few different make and model sailboats have had off-center (angled) prop shafts over the decades. Two reasons that I have heard: To make it easy to pull the shaft without having to drop the rudder, And to cancel out prop steer when under power ahead.
(Every answer contains a new question, as someone once observed...)

I have seen some C&C's with this offset that backed up poorly, FWIW.

Maybe a former Ericson factory person can check in here and give you a more precise answer.

Best,
Loren

 

[rookie1]

thanks, i heated the bronze strut, ever so gently-then used a pipe wrench to center the shaft coming out of the hull.

 

[Blue Jeans]

Offcenter Prop Strut

I have an Ericson 36C, the prop strut is off center to port. When the prop shaft needs to come out, it clears the rudder. I don't know if being offcenter does anything for the prop steer.

Bob McKee
'Blue Jeans'
Seattle, WA