Shaft tube

[MG1234]

Putting together a boat I bought used ,the shaft tube is about 1" short of the strut,the smooth part of the flex shaft does extend into the tube so the cable is not exposed ,is this ok? Or should the tube reach the strut? Thanks,

[runzwithsizorz]

I dealt with something like this on a boat I had though not a full inch short. I used a teflon liner to make the trip into the strut. The liner was pretty snug inside the tube, so it didn't leak, but you could add some silicone, and maybe a short piece of tubing.

[fweasel]

If the prop shaft is a larger diameter than the flex cable, I don't think you'll be able to use the liner method. If the entire cable is the same diameter, that would be the easiest method and is what I use to help keep water out on my beater Spartan.

[runzwithsizorz]

If the prop shaft is a larger diameter than the flex cable, I don't think you'll be able to use the liner method. If the entire cable is the same diameter, that would be the easiest method and is what I use to help keep water out on my beater Spartan.

Don't think I have ever seen a step up shaft, only step down. Is there such a thing??? Also forgot to add that the teflon tube fit rather snug in the strut. It was in a boat I converted from stinger to strut.

[MG1234]

I was more concerned about the flex cable not being held solid and vibrating or worse,I can move the prop dog out a little to get more of the smooth shaft into the tube and liner ,that would keep out water too,some guys don't use liners at all ,

[fweasel]

Don't think I have ever seen a step up shaft, only step down. Is there such a thing???

Probably not common, but several Proboat RTR's came with flexes that had larger prop shafts than the flex cable itself.

[NativePaul]

While I haven't done it myself I have seen several boats that have run well with the stuffing tube stopping short of the strut, and the last 20mm (3/4") or so being run with just Teflon over the flex.

Wire drives don't need a full length stuffing tube, for those I make the stuffing tube just long enough to go through the hull with a little over on the inside to put a seal on.

It is very common for the stub shaft to be bigger than the flex, all my flexshafts bar one are like this, .098-.125 . 130-4mm . 130-3/16 . 150-3/16, and obviously all my wires.