Deepsea Seals

[Guest]

My boat which I have had for 4 years has a 'Deepsea Seal fitted instead of the convential stern packing gland. There is little room between the gearbox coupling and the stern tube - 5.5 inches; I think that this perhaps is the reason it was fitted originally. It has given me no problems whatsoever but many marina engineers, but not all, say they would not fit them from choice. I get as many different opinions as people I ask. Has anyone had bad experience from a correctly fitted deepsea seal and what was it.

 

[rich]

has't sunk yet has it.

rich

 

[30boat]

I ten years I fitted two.The first lasted for one year only because I over compressed it trying to make it stop leaking.It turned out it was the engine shaking that prevented it from working.After fitting a aquadrive the second one never gave any problems.In fact I am fitting one to my recently aquired W.Fulmar.
They're very well engineered.

 

[billmacfarlane]

What's the problem ? You've had one for 4 years without a any trouble. I had one for nine years on my last boat and never had a drop of water in the engine bilge. I read somewhere that their life expectancy was 7 years but mine never gave a problem.

 

[Guest]

One Spring a minor problem of oxide on the bronze face which caused a minor dribble on re-launch. Sorted it afloat (very carefully!) Should have sprayed it at lift-out previous Autumn. Been using it now since '93. Ensure protection from possible bumps or displaced tackle.

 

[drawp]

What puzzles me is why would a marine engineer have an aversion to a Deep Sea seal. I've had one for 6 years without a hint of a problem and I certainly do not miss having to stand on my head in the engine compartment repacking an old fashioned stern gland - not to mention the periodic maintenance that was required! What is the perceived weakness with a Deep Sea seal? Any ideas?

 

[romany123]

If it aint bust dont fix it....had one for about 8 years

Dave

 

[pandroid]

The supposed horror story was of one where the rubber gasket bonded to the bearing plate through non-use. When it came to be used, the rubber ripped, thus causing an almighty leak. Whether this is an urban myth or not I dont know

 

[DavidGrieves]

Anybody got any info on fitting a deep sea seal? Is it a boat yard job or could a competent DIY person fit one?

 

[Guest]

Its an easy DIY job.

I had one of the earlier ones and it only lasted 3 seasons before weeping. I also found that sometimes the lip would stick to the ring if the boat wasnt used for a while. Never caused a problem but made me feel uneasy and I was never really happy with it as a result

The maker gave me a free replacement deap sea seal, but I used one of the seals made from bronze tube and 3 lip seals with an oil reservoir. I think they were originally made by Bukh, but there are now a number of makers. This worked extremely well, with no leaks, no maintenance easily replaceable cheap standard seals. Recommended

 

[vyv_cox]

It sounds like we have a similar unit. Mine came with a Bukh engine, has three seal packing rings with a lantern ring and an external greaser. Half a turn per motoring hour, which requires the engine cover to be removed, so also useful to check general appearance and for water in the bilge.

I am currently in the process of rebuilding my stern gear, fitting Aquadrive, Stripper, etc and debated whether to replace the seal with a more modern one. In view of its utter reliability and the other condition checks that its use require I have decided to keep it.

 

[tonyleigh]

Fitted one dried out between tides last April - and I'm no engineer! Highly recommend and feel the horror stories tend to be over-stated.