Since removing the engine I’ve been doing a lot of cleaning. The days are getting shorter and colder so I figured this part of the project should be completed while the temperature is still in the 60s.

I spent a few days trying (unsuccessfully) to remove the propeller. After breaking my gear puller, I cut it off with a sawzall. 

I never really completely understood how my stern tube was set up. I have repacked the stuffing box but the rest of it was covered in resin and grease. What a mess! The “tube” consists of a bronze aperture on the stern (with cutless bearing). That has a hose attached to it with the stuffing box clamped to the hose. The problem is they just glassed the hose into the boat. AAaaaahhhhhH !!!! This is completely wrong. The hose was in bad shape from having oil and fuel soak into it for 20+ years. This is a good way to sink a boat. I cut it all out.

The cleaning is done. So are the leaves on the trees.