Stern Galnd Tubing

wooslehunter

wooslehunter

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I have my stern gear apart & want to replace the rubber tubing that connects the stern tube to the stern gland.

The tube that's there at the moment is 1.5inch i/d & 10-11mm wall thickness. I can find similar 1.5inch i/d tubing but the wall thickness is much less. Obviously there will be some torsional loading although it sould be small. But, stern glands have been known to fail tight & twist the tubing apart. So thicker is better.

Any ideas on where to source the tubing? I've a few local sources to try yet but drawing blank so far.
 
I bought some, a good while ago, from Sillette-Sonic. They still exist, I bought a PSS bellows from them recently. IIRC, they are now tied in with Lake Engineering. VG service.
 
This flexible tube is so critical to the boat's safety that it is important to fit the proper thing. (I know from experience!) I bought a special tube from Lake Engineering.
 
wooslehunter said:
I have my stern gear apart & want to replace the rubber tubing that connects the stern tube to the stern gland.

The tube that's there at the moment is 1.5inch i/d & 10-11mm wall thickness. I can find similar 1.5inch i/d tubing but the wall thickness is much less. Obviously there will be some torsional loading although it sould be small. But, stern glands have been known to fail tight & twist the tubing apart. So thicker is better.

Any ideas on where to source the tubing? I've a few local sources to try yet but drawing blank so far.
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Yes +1 for T Norris as MoodySabre suggests,http://www.tnorrismarine.co.uk/

They specialise in them and it is NOT standard rubber as many may think, if it leaks or at worst splits you are going one way only 'down'!
Many never realize it's one of the most importamt fittings on the boat, as if you have a problem with it you can not make a repair very easily, I replace mine every 5 years min.

Mike
 
Just to clarify, nobody is likely to say anything against Norris, just that they have to buy their hose from the manufacturer and Portmere is one of the manufacturers...

Rob.
 
There are some examples and photos under Stern Gear on my website. One shows the consequence of using the incorrect tubing and another addresses the question of torsion on packed glands. Many types of stern tube and packed gland have dogs that take the torsional load, others do not, in which case the choice of tubing is critical.
 
Many better designed installations have the stuffing box mechanically attached to the sterntube, and do not rely on a bit of rubber hose. (Mine included).
 
Traditionally, stuffingboxes were attached directly to the end of the sterntube, either threaded on, or bolted to a flange. Have a look at T Norris' site, under Sterntube assemblies.
 
NormanS said:
Traditionally, stuffingboxes were attached directly to the end of the sterntube, either threaded on, or bolted to a flange. Have a look at T Norris' site, under Sterntube assemblies.
Click to expand...

Downside with those is that the shaft is then rigid so if you want a flexibly mounted engine you need a flexible coupling. Nothing wrong with mounting the stuffing box on a flexible hose if it is the right sort.
 
Tranona said:
Downside with those is that the shaft is then rigid so if you want a flexibly mounted engine you need a flexible coupling. Nothing wrong with mounting the stuffing box on a flexible hose if it is the right sort.
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Nothing wrong? But the shaft is still rigid, while engine flexible mounted. Only asset here is stuffing box not getting torn apart :)
Yes, a thing somehow forgotten - divided shaft. Best idea, stiff stuffing box and tube, shaft lying straight in bearings - vibrations and misalignment taken by short intermediate shaft with two flexible couplings.
Any car designer would get heart attack looking at boat shafts of today.
 
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Have you tried Chris Hornsey on Eastney Road in Portsmouth - 023 9273 4728? I either bought some tube from him or when I went there to buy some he redirected me to somewhere close by. Sorry I can be more specific, but it was three months ago and my memorey isn't what it used to be! I took my liferaft to be serviced at the same time, but can't for the life of me remember where.

Mark
 
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