The 24 inch long bronze stern tube has to come out due to corrosion, but is fiberglassed in place the entire length. It’s where the propeller shaft exits the boat.
We had a special ultra long hole saw made that cuts a hole just barely bigger than the bronze tube, and now have a super fancy custom tool made here in the yard to turn it (ok, it’s a tire iron with a socket welded onto it…).
It has to be sawed out by hand because it binds up instantly with a power tool, plus slow and steady keeps the hole saw aligned, even a tiny fraction off is a big deal. Every ~1/8 inch we have to remove it and spray with water to get the glass dust out of the deep hole. It takes about an hour to get 1 inch. I’m 12” through after two days.
We’re super fortunate to be here at Cabrales Boatyard Puerto Peñasco. The owner Salvador and one of his staff Pancho have had some great ideas and are super helpful. And we’ve got awesome boat-tree neighbors Saltymatey
who have helped with ideas and turning the saw.
S/V Pulsar 