Sadler 25 - Sterngear dripping

[Wandering Star]

Hi,

I’m unable to visit my Sadler 25 for a couple of weeks and wondered if anyone could help with dimensions, advice or suggestions regarding the stern gear? I haven’t owned her long so I’m not entirely sure what her sterngear and shaft measurements are - or even how accessible they are although I have noticed there’s a screwed down cover under the cockpit grating which presumably allows access to the sterngear!

Currently, she’s fitted with a PSS shaft seal which appears to be leaking/dripping. On a 3 hour passage under engine (Yanmar 1GM10) the bilge space under the engine contained about a gallon of water. But after leaving the boat on her mooring for a couple of weeks there will also be about a couple of litres of water in the engine bilge.

So I suspect the PSS shaft seal is leaking although I haven’t actually investigated the source of the leak properly.

I have no idea how old the PSS seal is so was thinking of purchasing the full service kit and fitting this but I need to identify the shaft diameter and Stern gear diameter in order to buy the correct sized service kit.

Also, I’d like peoples opinions on whether the work can be done with the boat in the water!!

Any advice or opinions gratefully received.

 

[Praxinoscope]

My Sadler 25 still has the original stuffing box stern gland, but a friends 25 has a PSS shaft seal.
The prop shaft is 3/4”, on both boats.
If it’s of any interest to you I have a copy of the original 25 Hilda/fitting instructions, which has a diagram of the stuffing box arrangement, which I could email to you.
I don’t know if you are a member of the Sadler association, but they have this document on their website.

 

[Tranona]

The usual reason for a PSS leaking is the bellows not being set correctly so that the faces do not seal properly. However it could be that the faces are damaged which can occur if the boat is left unused for long periods and the faces stick together.

With regard to size all the sub 1"/25mm seals are the same but if it is a 1" shaft (unlikely) it is the next size up. Further information available from here lakesterngear.co.uk/products/seals

 

[Neil]

Access to my Sadler 25 stern gear was through a little hatch in the Portside cockpit locker - Houdini would have found it a challenge. Mine'd had a new engine and all the works, including a 20mm shaft, for which finding shaft anodes could prove difficult. Standard-type stuffing box with what looked like the original grease packer which never dripped, fortunately.

 

[Malish]

It would be a brave chap that services a PSS seal whilst in the water, I'm sure it could be done with enough planning, old rags and mopping up afterwards but would I do it - no, dried out between tides as a minimum, fully out of the water much preferred.
If you dont know it, Vyv Cox's site Stern glands is very useful

 

[Praxinoscope]

Access to my Sadler 25 stern gear was through a little hatch in the Portside cockpit locker - Houdini would have found it a challenge. Mine'd had a new engine and all the works, including a 20mm shaft, for which finding shaft anodes could prove difficult. Standard-type stuffing box with what looked like the original grease packer which never dripped, fortunately.

This is the same as mine except it still has the original 3/4” shaft even after re-engining.
Oh the ‘joy’ of accessing the tern gear through that hatch![/QUOTE]

 

[vyv_cox]

PSS seals are not totally maintenance free unless used regularly all year. The stainless steel face needs to be flushed at the end of the season with fresh water to avoid corrosion (example on my website) and wetted at the beginning of the next. This is equivalent to 'burping' a Volvo seal.

Where access is very limited, as with a Sadler 26, it might be worth considering replacement with a vented Volvo type, such as the Radice.

 

[Tranona]

Volvo type seals are not available for sub 1"/25mm shafts Another alternative if a lip seal is desired is this lakesterngear.co.uk/catalogue.pdf#page=18 which is made in small sizes

 

[vyv_cox]

Volvo type seals are not available for sub 1"/25mm shafts Another alternative if a lip seal is desired is this lakesterngear.co.uk/catalogue.pdf#page=18 which is made in small sizes

I did not know that. My phone will not open your link, what type are they?

 

[Tranona]

Tides Marine "Series One", the simplified version of the original Sureseal specifically aimed at smaller boats with sizes up to 30mm and a good choice of bellows diameter to suit a range of stern tubes. Can be water fed from the engine raw water system.

Next on my list for my project boat if I cant get a Radice to fit the stern tube - not dismantled it yet!

 

[Wandering Star]

Whoops! I forgot to thank everyone for their advice so thanks! Invaluable help as always, I’ve decided to do the job ashore so it’ll have to wait until April now but. I think I understand much better how to tackle it and what’s required.

 

[doug748]

I'm sure you have seen the recent post which gives a few pointers on what you could do on the water. The most probable cause is that the stainless rotor has slipped, which is nice and easy. After that, try introducing a piece of strong, clean, single ply rag between the seal to give it a clean, this is a long shot but may help. Revolve the shaft by hand as you do it - probably easier said than done on your boat.

The rest is best dealt with out of the water and you may find the seal faces have been contaminated. Steel yourself the new bellows are over £100 and, as suggested, it may be better to look at alternatives - or just clean it up and put it back, depending on budget.

.