A new shaft for Belisama - 29-31 May 2020

For the 2020 sailing season, we decided to sail only in Sweden to avoid being quarantined outside of Sweden. As a matter of fact, Sweden being the country with the world record of mortality by 100,000 population, no neighbouring countries are welcoming Swedish residents or sailors without going through a 14 day quarantine and raising the yellow flag on the mast. 

But in any case, following our propeller rock touching in Utö last summer and the resulting clicking in the transmission, we had to change the propeller shaft of our beloved Belisama. Quite a surgery for a sailor unable to find a mechanic to help in Sweden. The season is so short in the Baltic that you should forget trying finding one to do anything on a visiting boat. So, I decided to do it myself...
I could only find Pampas Marina to accept taking Belisama on shore for a couple of days during the peak May/June season. Thanks to them! Getting Belisama out of water is always very impressive.

Belisama in the crane slot

Belisama is lifted on Thursday morning. the removal of the propeller will prove very challenging. It will require heating the brass Max-Prop with a serious heat blower for a good fifteen minutes, combined with using a puller to remove the propeller from the shaft. A very impressive experience as when the disconnecting happens under the pressure from the puller, you think that you have just broken something...

Belisama with the shaft out!

Once the propeller out, the replacement of the shaft is not a big deal. You need the new propeller gland and rotating seals, and of course the new shaft, which I got from Alubat. Below, the picture of the new shaft in place. Indeed, I will bring the old propeller shaft to the marina mechanic who using a set of bearings will confirm that the hit in Utö had twisted the propeller shaft.

New propeller shaft and gland seal re-fitted

It took two working days to get it done. Then after, a bit of antifouling fixing and anode changes, Belisama is water borne again!

Photo by Stéphane Lucchini

The rest is just pleasure. Getting off the crane slot, coming across flying hot air balloons, passing the bridges, and getting out in the Mälaren. 

Photo by Stéphane Lucchini

 Besides, these couple of days off waters were effectively used to cook for the season. On the pictures below, smoked salmon by Stéphane: six kilos for the next 4 weeks...

... on top of four kilos of beef jerky drying-up on his laundry dryer!

All set therefore for a four month cruise throughout Sweden. The first test for the new shaft is getting from Stockholm to Birka. A very successful  experience where we could confirm that the clicking had disappeared. Such a good feeling!

By 22:00, we make it to Birka.

Birka at dawn...

Moored finally at Birka...