[C320-list] Dripless shaft???

[Artstree at aol.com]

Danny:

I cut the bottom out of a gallon tea jug and created a shallow (about 1.5" deep) collection pan to put under the shaft seal. This does two things: it catches the water before it gets in the bilge and it give me an idea of just how much the shaft seal is dripping.  If the drips are minor, they will evaporate. If it is a large amount, then you can suck it out with a small had pump or wet dry vacuum. I have a small wet dry vacuum with a one gallon pitcher in line as a buffer to collect the water. The plastic pitcher is see-through so I can see how much water I am getting out of the bilge. I have been able to suck all of the water out of the bilge and have it completely dry. Since the 95 models do not have a real sump in the bilge it is hard to get all of the water out. I have also found that the bilge pump location is not the lowest part of the hull. If you pull the "L shaped panel in front of the head you can access the lowest part of the hull which is closer to the engine compartment. This will collect and hold water even if you vacuum out the pump area, and it will then migrate to the pump area with the motion of the boat. I have taken the screws out of all of the center panels including "L" shaped one in front of the head for easy access. They all go together like a puzzle and I have not had them be an issue coming out even in 2-4's on Lake Erie. 

Art Harden
Tortuga -Catalina 320
937-477-5544

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Scott Westwood
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2018 5:15 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dripless shaft???

If changing to GFO goes "virtually" dripless then sounds good to me.  We are hauling her out this year to do the bottom.  Perfect time.
Where can I get the GFO packing? How-to Video's or articles?
I was concerned about even the possibility of a rubber bladder sinking the boat....  Sounds like GFO would be less hassle/concern... Thanks, Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C (919)-618-7185

      From: danny jensen <danny at jensenshouse.com>
 To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
 Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2018 7:21 PM
 Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dripless shaft???
   
I too was looking at dripless but I decided to use GFO packing 5 years ago based on Jeff Hare's recommendation. Maybe once every 2-3 years I need to tighten the nut on my stuffing box and I have a dry bilge. When dripless fails it can sink your boat.  I'm a big fan of GFO.
Danny

On Sun, Jun 24, 2018 at 3:43 PM, <rclausen1 at bigpond.com> wrote:

> Hi Scott
>
> I have a Volvo penta dripless shaft seal. Very happy with it, replace 
> after 5 years of dry bilge.
>
> Teddy Clausen
>
> Cool Change 294 Port Macquarie NSW Aus.
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Scott Westwood
> Sent: Monday, June 25, 2018 7:46 AM
> To: Catalina List
> Subject: [C320-list] Dripless shaft???
>
> Has anybody installed a drip-less shaft on their C320?  Just asking 
> but the admiral is asking about getting rid of the water in the bilge 
> and I have to ask.
> Mainly the price and any experiences from those who have done it?
> Thanks,
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C
> (919)-618-7185
>