[C320-list] Dry bilge?

Thu Nov 20 18:04:39 PST 2014

I can add some more information from my experience with the PSS seal.  I
have had one on WindSwept for 10-15 years now.  I cannot believe she is
nearly 20 years new now.  Apart from my wife, daughter and last name, I
don¹t think I have had anything longer.  But I am digressing.

When I first had the PSS installed it did not have a vent.  I needed to
burp the seal frequently.  I was never sure of why, but thought that it
might be due to air accumulation after my diver cleaned the bottom,
something that I need to have done monthly in the warm Gulf of Mexico
water I sail in.  I also thought it might be some type of gas generated by
the decay of the organic matter in the water.  However PSS did send me
notification that they would replace the carbon ring with one fitted for a
vent and I did take them up on it.  As someone else said I now have a hose
that runs to a high point at the stern of the boat and any trapped air or
gas vents itself and I have not had any more problems.

Larry
WindSwept 320 #246

On 11/20/14, 4:00 PM, "Allan S Field" <allan.field at verizon.net> wrote:

>The current PSS comes with a vent hose that runs from the seal to 2 feet
>above the water line, eliminating the risk of air getting into the
>bellows.
>The original seal that was on Sea Shadow for about 12 years did not have
>the
>vent hose so the bellows needed to be burped to get the air out when
>launched.  About 2-3 years after install, I was advised that PYY would
>send
>a vent kit out at no charge; I didn't take them up on this because I knew
>to
>burp at launch and the thing was working so well.  At no other time during
>those 12 years did the thing run dry or get an air bubble in the system.
>In
>other words, the thing worked flawlessly for 12 years including leaving
>the
>boat in the water all winter.  So if there have been failures due to the
>shaft seal that has sunk boats, I'd like to see the data!  I would hazard
>to
>guess that the risk of excessive water entering the boat through the
>packing
>gland probably statistically is higher with the regular packing material
>and
>I would think less so with the GoreTex but I have no data to support this.
>With an n of one though, I did see the bilge on an Island Packet 29 with a
>faulty bilge pump completely fill from a leaking packing gland.
>
>I am not trying to sell anyone on the PYY gland.  Rather, I am just trying
>to share the experience of one very satisfied owner and respond to
>concerns
>that I haven't experienced and know of no one else experiencing!
>
>Allan S. Field
>Sea Shadow - #808
>Columbia, MD
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
>Of Richard Cincinelli
>Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 12:37 PM
>To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dry bilge?
>
>My understanding from Garry Douglas, 2013 Catalina island Rendezvous,  is
>that the PSS is no longer being used by Catalina. Seem that if the water
>jacket loses water that the unit has failed. This can occur if there is an
>air bubble in the system. Failure can cause the unit to become an opening
>to
>the sea. I have a 2012 355 and it came with a Gore-Tex packing as the
>standard.
>
>Richard Cincinelli
>(310) 722-1044
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
>Of Karl Mielenhausen
>Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 5:29 AM
>To: C320IA Discussion List
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dry bilge?
>
>The only totally dry solution that I know of is the PSS system. There is a
>nice article on it here...
>http://www.correctcraftfan.com/articles/PSS.asp
>
>I believe the newer Catalina's have this and many owners have converted.
>
>Karl
>
>On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 7:51 AM, Scott Westwood
><scottwestwood at bellsouth.net
>> wrote:
>
>> But that still ends up with water in the bilge.  Is there a way to get
>> a "truly" dry bilge with a shaft thru the hull?  Or... If you have an
>> inboard engine you just have to live with water in the bilge?  Just
>> deal
>with it?
>>
>> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.netH (919)-362-8538C
>> (919)-618-7185
>>
>> --------------------------------------------
>> On Thu, 11/20/14, Karl Mielenhausen <kmielen at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dry bilge?
>>  To: "C320IA Discussion List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
>>  Date: Thursday, November 20, 2014, 7:43 AM
>>
>>  Switch over to Gore-tex
>>  packing...
>>
>> http://www.emarineinc.com/products/GFO-Packing%2C-3%7B47%7D16-in.%285-
>> mm%29-2-foot.html
>>
>>  The 3/16" size should
>>  allow you space for 3 rings (stagger the joints).
>>  This stuff really runs cool. I tighten so that  I get about one drop
>> every
>>  60 seconds WHEN
>>  RUNNING. Readjust after 2 hours of runtime.
>>
>>  Note to all members:
>>  The discussion list archives can be easily  searched by going here...
>>  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/c320-list
>>  We have a huge history of discussions that  probably will answer 90%
>> of the  questions  that members post. Not that we don't want to talk
>> to  you, but  just suggested in the interest of  timeliness. Also,
>> when you ask a  question,  it usually helps to list your hull number
>> and engine make  (if  appropriate).
>>
>>  Karl
>>
>>
>>  Karl
>>
>>  On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at
>>  7:09 AM, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net  > wrote:
>>
>>  > I have seen several notes on how to  re-pack stuffing boxes etc...
>>  >
>>  > I also have heard different takes on  dripping and "drip less" vs.
>>  >
>>  "dripless".  My wife "hates" water in  the bilge with a passion.
>>  >
>>  > Is there a truly safe way to get a dry  bilge?  Cost/benefit
>> analysis?  You  >  can but it would cost as muchas the boat etc???
>>  >
>>  > Our box drips 3-5
>>  drips/minute even at the dock.  Is this normal?  I hear  > it is for
>> cooling underway etc...
>>  >
>>  >
>>  >
>>  What thoughts are out there?
>>  >
>>  > One concern we both have is the odd chance  that we have a bilge
>> pump  > failure (or  battery failure) at the dock.  We have shore
>> power but we  often  > can't get to the boat for a  month or so.
>> Worst fear is bilge pump failure  > and boat sinks.  I know it should
>> not  happen within a month or so but there  >  is also the fear of
>> wood deck damage if bilge water rises  etc...
>>  >
>>  >
>>  > Thoughts out there?
>>  >
>>  >
>>  >
>>  Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.netH  (919)-362-8538C
>> (919)-618-7185  >  >  >
>>
>>
>
>