Volvo Black Jack stern gland

[Independence]

I need to replace my stern gland and have had the Volvo Black Jack recommended to me by a marine engineer who reports he has had fewer customers with issues using this type than any other.

What's the general opinion of them by those poeple who use them or know of them

Thanks

 

[Tranona]

Very good solution if it fits your boat. There are 2 variants. The original Volvo branded one and ones made by Radice and Orbitrade that have the addition of an air vent and greaser which make the annual greasing easier and the air vent, which can also be used for a positive feed is useful in some applications.

What boat do you have?

 

[Stemar]

I wanted to fit one to my previous boat, but there was too much wear on the prop shaft from the old gland for me to think it would seal reliably. Definitely worth checking this but, if you can, a good solution. In the end, I went with a PSS; It probably would have been cheaper to change the shaft, but I'd have had to remove either the engine or the rudder (starts with an angle grinder )

 

[rotrax]

I wanted to fit one to my previous boat, but there was too much wear on the prop shaft from the old gland for me to think it would seal reliably. Definitely worth checking this but, if you can, a good solution. In the end, I went with a PSS; It probably would have been cheaper to change the shaft, but I'd have had to remove either the engine or the rudder (starts with an angle grinder )

I moved the Orbitrade stern seal I fitted to our last boat forward by 8 inches, using a thickwall GRP exhaust joining tube from ASAP. Doing that ensured the new seal was sealing on a fresh bit of shaft.

It does not have to be 8 inches-1 inch would do!

I moved mine for better access, not to lose a worn spot.

 

[Stemar]

I don't think I even had an inch to play with - it was a 24 footer.

 

[Malish]

There are 2 variants. The original Volvo branded one and ones made by Radice and Orbitrade

I've always been curious as to whether one factory is supplying all three versions

 

[snowbird30ds]

I've always been curious as to whether one factory is supplying all three versions

The orbitrade ones say made in Sweden on the box so quite likely.

 

[Independence]

Very good solution if it fits your boat. There are 2 variants. The original Volvo branded one and ones made by Radice and Orbitrade that have the addition of an air vent and greaser which make the annual greasing easier and the air vent, which can also be used for a positive feed is useful in some applications.

What boat do you have?

A She 31b

Thanks

 

[Tranona]

A She 31b

Thanks

Presumably that has a traditional stuffing box that will need to be removed. The Volvo type seals are limited in the range of stern tubes they will fit. You probably have a 1" shaft and the tube is 42mm. It is important to get the shaft size correct as the small (0,4mm) difference between a 25mm and 1" is critical. 25mm will not fit properly on a 1" and a 1" on a 25mm will leak.. as mentioned earlier the shaft must be clean and undamaged for the length of the seal.

If this type will not fit your stern tube as is , depending on type of tube you might be able to reduce or increase to 42mm. alternatively the Tides Marine One seal is a good alternative with a wider range of hose sizes to attach to the stern to P35-7 of the Lake catalogue shows the range of both types lakesterngear.co.uk/catalogue.pdf

 

[Independence]

I have an old PSS which has been in situ for quite a few years without any problems (until now).

I'm in the process of dismantling and have plenty of good advice at the boat yard. Your obserbvations are very useful. Thanks