[C320-list] New PSS vs original unvented model.

[Ray Durand]

Jeff,

I upgraded from the original PSS four years ago when I last had my boat out
of the water.  I upgraded because I was tired of needing to burp it.  I had
several instances where the original version had caught enough air to
prevent cooling and the seal got quite hot and started squealing.

When I installed the new version, I bought some clear plastic hose,
connected one end to the PSS vent and ran the other end through the area
below the aft mattress, back through the rear port locker area and tied it
off near the stern shower connections - way above the water line.  It was a
trivial installation - I tie-wrapped the hose to existing cables and left
the end of the hose open to vent without any catch basin/reservoir.  I have
not had a single problem with this arrangement.

The new PSS is really a maintenance free addition to the boat - the only
water I get in my bilge is from overfilling the water tanks!

Ray Durand, #822
Marina del Rey, CA


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Hare
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 10:12 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] New PSS vs original unvented model.

Dick,

You're in San Diego! What do you need a motor for out there! ;)

Unfortunately, the model you are basing your recommendation on is no longer
available. I too liked the old version alot and had minimal trouble with it.
Pretty solid and simple, but I'd have to admit it's not as simple/safe as
GFO by comparison (having used both now). Never have to burp my GFO. ;)

The NEW version is a different beast altogether and requires plumbing that
cannot be avoided without risking a crack in the carbon ring according to
PYI.

Maybe this risk is low but the 320 does not lend itself to easily plumbing
this model. You have to either plumb it into the exhaust system or lead it
well above the waterline and provide a catch basin for overflow. In reverse,
the prop can force water up the tube above the waterline, hence the need for
a reservoir. Well, that's what other boat owners documented when installing
it.

I also questioned to PYI whether a clog in this small vent fitting from
marine life could result in it still needing to be burped like the old model
to get cooling water to the ring.

PYI said you'd have to burp it to find out or blow into the end of the tube.
Well whats the point of the venting if it's not reliable? All that added was
to make the carbon ring more vulnerable to heat damage and introduce the
need for a tiny plumbing run up above the engine compartment.

That is what sealed it for me, so my opinion:
Old model = thumbs up.
New model = thumbs down.

-jeff

PS: I have a used original model and an unused new vented carbon ring
sitting in a box in great shape I'm never going to use.


Dick Walker <dickwalker at att.net> wrote:

I still find no problem with the PSS seal and highly recommend it.

A dry bilge since 1999 is a work of beauty.


Dick Walker
WindWalkerII #687
619.435.8986






-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Hare
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 8:24 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Wet Bilge due to packing gland. Normal?


Hello,

This is an opinion piece related to the shaft seal and dry bilge so
obviously you're free to disagree.

I used to be a big believer in the PSS shaft seal. I still think its a good
product. But the GFO product does just as good a job as the old model pss
did (considering that burping the seal let in way more water than my GFO
packing does today).

Now that only the vented version is available i'm not as sold since (for me)
it adds additional points of failure that I'm not as comfortable with.

The likelihood of a GFO failure is minuscule compared to the likelihood of
some part of the PSS system failing. And the results of a failure in the PSS
would likely be a bigger problem than a GFO/stuffing box failure.

So, that's why I switched to GFO after 5 happy years without incident using
the old model PSS even though the company sent me a free upgrade to the
vented version and strongly urged me to use this instead.

-jeff