Access to stern seal

[aitchem]

Hi,
I have a big void behind the engine, enough for a 22 litre calorifier.
My concern is it would be an engine out jobbie to get at the (new volvo) stern seal.
Is this a wise move.?
Would it be a disaster waiting to happen if I made the seal inaccesible at sea.?

thx men
Howard

 

[ghostlymoron]

The stern gland is one of the most likely places for a serious leak to occur. I wouldn't do anything to impede access to the stern gland. If your boat is sinking, you don't want to remove the engine to get at the source. Find somewhere else to site your calorifier.

 

[prv]

The stern gland is one of the most likely places for a serious leak to occur. I wouldn't do anything to impede access to the stern gland. If your boat is sinking, you don't want to remove the engine to get at the source.

I agree with this - but perhaps the answer is to cut an alternative access hatch from a quarter berth / locker / stern cabin, then you can mount the calorifier in the space and still get at the seal?

Pete

 

[aitchem]

Thanks,

Having only done school sailing, i felt I needed to ask.

The only place I could get access would be the cockpit floor.
I will have a measure around, but, would need a stiff drink before undertaking that one.!



Howard

 

[Tranona]

You need to have easy access to it - not because it is likely to fail - but to "burp" it when you launch to expell air and to squeeze grease in periodically. All in the instructions that come with the seal. The air bit can be avaoided if you are able to vent your stern tube, but the greasing is essential.

 

[Poignard]

Thanks,

Having only done school sailing, i felt I needed to ask.

The only place I could get access would be the cockpit floor.
I will have a measure around, but, would need a stiff drink before undertaking that one.!

Howard

As others have said, you certainly need access to the sterngland. My boat had no access to the sterngland when I bought her so I fitted big hatches in the cockpit sole. Access is now very good and I have gained some useful storage space for hosepipes, diesel can etc

View attachment 18616

View attachment 18617

 

[prv]

The only place I could get access would be the cockpit floor.

Really? What's either side of it?

Assuming the boat's the one in your avatar, it looks to have a pretty flat stern so the seal can't be down in the narrow keel section like mine. Surely there must be a locker or quarter berth or similar to either side?

Pete

 

[aitchem]

Really? What's either side of it?

Assuming the boat's the one in your avatar, it looks to have a pretty flat stern so the seal can't be down in the narrow keel section like mine. Surely there must be a locker or quarter berth or similar to either side?

Pete

Thanks Pete, really, there is very little scope for a 14 inch square hole in the engine room side.

Howard

 

[aitchem]

As others have said, you certainly need access to the sterngland. My boat had no access to the sterngland when I bought her so I fitted big hatches in the cockpit sole. Access is now very good and I have gained some useful storage space for hosepipes, diesel can etc

View attachment 18616

View attachment 18617

Thanks for the pictures young man, nice looking bits of wood there.

 

[Poignard]

Thanks for the pictures young man, nice looking bits of wood there.

Iroko

 

[ghostlymoron]

As others have said, you certainly need access to the sterngland. My boat had no access to the sterngland when I bought her so I fitted big hatches in the cockpit sole. Access is now very good and I have gained some useful storage space for hosepipes, diesel can etc

View attachment 18616

View attachment 18617

What sort of fixings have you used for holding down your new hatches? A friend of mine has a similar arrangement but has no fixings on the hatch which I don't consider very safe.

 

[Poignard]

What sort of fixings have you used for holding down your new hatches? A friend of mine has a similar arrangement but has no fixings on the hatch which I don't consider very safe.

In the second photo you can see some oval shaped bronze plates screwed onto the framework. These have a central tapped hole to take the hex-head bolts visible in the first picture.

I reckon you need something to prevent the hatch tops floating away if the cockpit fills up (which it never has, so far, but if it did . . . ). The bolts don't need to be screwed down hard - mine are usually just finger tight.

I have some more detailed photos if you want them.