Do you drip or not?

wingdiver

wingdiver

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Not a reflection of issues associated with old age. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
No, I am talking prop shaft seals.
We have a 'standard' set up with a flexible tube clamped to the hull at one end and a gland at the other.
This does produce a certain amount of water when under engine, which is to be expected.
The last boat had one of those PSS stlye of face seal which didn't let anything through (unless the owner accidentally touched it when servicing the engine /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )
I would be keener to keep the bilges dry so that any unexpected ingress can be spotted more easily.
Anyone got any experience of particular systems - good or bad.
I believe folks like the RNLI fit 'dripless' systems so there must be something in them.
 
My Centaur was a standard grase filled gland which would drip or otherwise according to how tight the gland was adjusted. I now have a volvo stern gland which is totally dry and understand that the (Tideseal ??) system is also completely dry. It feels odd not to have damp bilges now !
 
Used to have a Volvo seal on a previous boat, very easy to manage. Grease lightly once a year and release air if drying out. Life of the seal is, I think, 10 years but many seem to run them for longer. The bilges on the boat were always clean and dry. We currently have a similar system to yours on our current boat and intend to change it for the Volvo seal when time/funds allow.
 
I used to have a grease filled gland that dripped grease. Now have a nice dry volvo one, though the bilge is now wetter as there is a vent on the exhaust swan neck is now routed into the bilge. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
I too have a Volvo seal...

Its been said many times, but here it is again... Volvo, not renowned for their cheap solutions, have in their shaft seal, produced the best product on the market...

It is simple and effective, and yet still not expensive. The class act of the shaft seal market.
 
On SL the size of stern tube prevents use of volvo seal (Max o/d 42mm IIRC) various comments about water fed deep sea seals in the club concern wear due to the mud in our waters causing premature wear.
 
Thanks (and to SL too).
Our shaft is 2" or 50mm (cant remember which) which is OK for the Volvo except it seems to have a max o/d of the stern tube of 2.75" and 70mm respectively, which is way too small.
 
Sirenia has this seal fitted.
Shaftseal.jpg


I don't know what it is.
The pipe connected to it comes from a small bottle filled with oil.
The shaft is 25mm.
It has not dripped so far and has not needed any attention following launch or drying out.
Maybe some one can identify it for us.
The rubber hose connecting it was replaced a few years ago as recommended in the purchase survey I had.
 
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