Need recommend for dripless shaft

[bcguy]

Hi... reposting as I put this in the wrong forum (sorry).

Hi ... just had the rubber tube coupling between the stern tube and stuffing box break down and causing significant leaking. Guests are arriving coupla days. I have taped off outside prop shaft to stop leaking and am getting towed to a lift.

My shaft is 1.25" and I am running a yanmar 27hp diesel on 36' sailboat.

Can anyone recommend a reliable dripless shaft seal product for my setup.

Thanks in advance...
Gary

[Sandero]

I am on my 2nd in 21 yrs. The first lasted qbout 10 or 11. I got one from

PYI Inc. Max-Prop PSS Shaft Seal Seaview Radar Mounts R&D

So far no problems.

jef
sv shiva

[Maine Sail]

PSS all the way! Here's a phot based article on installing one..

PSS Shaft Seal Installation Photo Gallery by Maine Sailing at pbase.com

[hellosailor]

Gary-
The traditional rubber tubing is perhaps as robust and reliable as any or all of the new "dripless" systems. If they fail, they can fail big time. But using a traditional shaft and "dripless packing" you can have a robust system that stays very close to dry.

There is GoreTex packing (teflon based) and there is a "clay" packing (also Teflon based, IIRC) and foks who have used either one, following the directions, have been very happy users.

As to the rubber tearing...well, it can do that. Keeping petrochemicals off it, and using either talc or ArmorAll to help keep the rubber in good condition, should get you an easy ten years out of the new one.

Those new high-tech systems were all designed to avoid leaky cotton packing material--before someone figured out teflon packing could solve the problem way cheaper and simpler.

[cooper]

just bought a brand new pss, from all the advice I have been given it seems to be the most reliable. My other boat has a stuffing box with a grease nipple works fine but puts both water and grease into the boat. Havnt tried the newer packing materials, but the putty is meant to last "up to two years".

[senormechanico]

One more recommendation for PSS. I got ten years out of the original bellows. The new ones are more flexible. Second bellows was in great shape when I sold the boat, and it is still working AFAIK.

Steve B.

[bcguy]

Going back to the beginning with this: The way this started out, I had drilled and tapped a grease nipple into the stern tube (aft of the rubber hose joining the stern tube with the stuffing box). I guess the pressure when I injected the grease found a weak spot in the rubber tubing and broke through. As a result wads of grease and water came through the tear in the rubber hose. I also noticed some grease on the shaft where it exits the boat (cutlass bearing?...is that a problem?). I was told the PSS would not work now because I will never get all of the grease out of the stern tube and this system requires water pressure. So, I am re-thinking my options and am now considering putting new packing, new rubber hose and pumping the stern tube full of grease again. I guess since the grease will enter the packing, would it really matter what packing I use. Anyway... appreciate any advice.

Thanks... Gary

[senormechanico]

Why are you putting grease in there? A cutless bearing is water lubricated.
With proper engine alignment, the shaft should not touch the stern tube and would be supported by the transmission (or possibly a bearing at its forward end) and by the cutless bearing at the aft end.

Steve B.

[never monday]

The grease might have degraded the rubber hose.
I'd first clean it all out and wash it down with a solvent. Then either fit a PSS or go back with the hose.