If you look at the photograph you can see the shaft is rittled with spots of what appear to be discoloration. It even follows lines leading me to believe it was mostly crevasse corrosion.

Anything that works like that on a boat needs replacing as standard maintenance. Same as our chainplates. I broke one and after looking at the rest of them and replaced them all.. Standing rigging is the same as well. Chainplates need replacing every 15 years, standing rigging every 10 I would think a shaft would be at most 20 years.

I never liked the standard packing gland as it allowed water to enter and the rear of the engine was difficult to get to. Yesterday a new shaft and Lasdrop dripless was installed. Beautiful. Too bad the boats being sold and the new owner will enjoy the benefits.