What Sort of Stern Gland is This?

[langstonelayabout]

Having just bought a Jeanneau Eolia 25, I'm no starting to learn my way about the boat.

One of the many interesting bits is the stern gland (the bit where the propshaft exits the hull). After about 10 hours of motoring it seems fine and hasn't leaked even a drop but it doesn't seem to have a grease gland like any of the other boats that I've been responsible for in the distant past.

I've attached a picture. What design is it? What maintenance will it need and do I need to do anything to it if it ever comes out of the water?

Many thanks

 

[jobbie]

Looks like a Volvo seal. here's a link to some info.

http://coxengineering.sharepoint.com/Pages/Sternglands.aspx

 

[vyv_cox]

Yes, as said, it's a Volvo seal. Needs very occasional greasing of the lips at the end by distorting the rubber at the shaft and squirting in a sachet of the stuff Volvo sell for the purpose. Thanks for the link to my site jobbie. The cutaway view of the seal makes everything clear.

 

[langstonelayabout]

So I have to 'burp' it when she has been out of the water. How do I get the Volvo lubricant into the gland if it is burped in the same way; do I have to put the lubricant in when the boat is ashore?

 

[chewi]

So I have to 'burp' it when she has been out of the water. How do I get the Volvo lubricant into the gland if it is burped in the same way; do I have to put the lubricant in when the boat is ashore?

I have read (in here somewhere) that you squirt the lubricant into a straw, then push the straw end under the seal and by squeezing the straw towards the seal, push the lubricant in.

Be aware that you will have to burp it if you dry out as well as at launch, so they're a bit tedious for a drying mooring.
There are other versions (Radice) with a vent tube (routed high to allow air out) that avoid the need to burp.

 

[macd]

Langsonelayabout: no-one's specifically said (although Vyv's website certainly does) but the Volvo seal you have is about the simplest and cheapest of all the modern(ish) 'dripless' seals. Good, reliable, bit of kit, but they are a long-term service item and should be inspected periodically: the two lip seals slowly wear over time, particularly if the boat's regularly used in waters with lots of sediment. But they're still far, far less labour-intensive than a conventional seal.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have read (in here somewhere) that you squirt the lubricant into a straw, then push the straw end under the seal and by squeezing the straw towards the seal, push the lubricant in.

Be aware that you will have to burp it if you dry out as well as at launch, so they're a bit tedious for a drying mooring.
There are other versions (Radice) with a vent tube (routed high to allow air out) that avoid the need to burp.

The drinking straw idea originally came from Skipper Stu, I believe. It is specifically a McDonalds drinking straw, which has a larger diameter than others. It makes the job easier than trying to use the sachet in which the grease is sold.