Vibration & Cutlass Bearings?

Hello Fellow Roamers,
My first cruise of the year last weekend - Hooray!
Vibration in port shaft so much that I shut her down - boo!

I did not hit anything - never noticed any bump. next day, I went into the river and felt the props. I do not feel any dings, especially nothing that could produce such large vibration in the shaft - The port engine was actually shaking when I shut it down. Could not firmly grasp the shaft when inthe river to check tightness in the strut, but it was not wobbly, anyway.
Also, prop turns by had with about same freedom as starboard.

I have yet to pull the boat, so cannot tell if strut has broken and without visual, can't be sure that prop is 100%.

I am wondering if the problem could be a worn out cutlass bearing. Anyone had experience like this due to a bearing?

Has anyone replaced their cutlass bearings? Imaging that I have to pull the shafts, which will be tons of fun given that shaft had to be beat into the collar with a sledge. (long story, but port shaft sheared three years ago and was lucky enough to have a spare. Likely, was a wee bit large, but it went in okay.)

Is this a job for do-it-yourselfers? I could use the engines aligned - thinking that is why the shaft sheared a few years back, but haven't had it done yet. Finding good marine repair services along the Ohio River, Cincinnati pool, is rather difficult.

Thanks,
Tim

Current custodian of the "Fun Spot", the 1st of the 38 foot aluminum Regals
1969 38' Regal Roamer, aluminum


PS - Still had a heck of a fun four day weekend on the River, even with one engine!

All very good advice, guys. I will check reving up the engine in neutral this weekend, looking for any shake in the engine without load. The spare shaft I installed had not been used before. The previous "custodian" had the misfortune of tying up the Fun Spot on some stumps in the creek going into our harbor. He had bent the port shaft and, lucky for me, had 2 shafts made, putting the new port shaft back in. I do not know if he replace the cutlass bearing at the time. I took my harbor master's advice in "beating the shart into the coupling", but in hindsight, I know I wouldn't do it again. Thanks for the advice on this.
We are on the same page, fellers. I did not run that engine again, until right at the dock and needing the twins to bring in the boat. Won't run it again until I pull it. I'll certainly assess the engine, at idle and at higer neutral rpms, but, knowing it was okay last fall, I wonder more about that strut..
THANKS