[C320-list] Drip-less Shaft Hose Installation

[Larry Frank]

The vent hose on the PSS on WindSwept is routed aft in the propeller tunnel, through an opening at the bulkhead of the aft cabin and then up the aft side of this bulkhead and terminates just below the cockpit sole.  By keeping this high and on the centerline it will keep it above the waterline at all times.  I think it is good to follow manufacturer's recommendations as much as possible for insurance reasons.  Mine not the equipment manufacturer's.  I did replace my bellows after 10-15 years of service.  It was impossible to stop dripping with the shaft rotating.  Adjusting the bellows compression did not seem to help.  I also replaced the graphite and SS ring - I guess that is the entire seal.  Solved the problem but I don't know what the problem really was.   Just a parts changer on this one.

Larry
WindSwept C320 #246

On 10/9/20, 1:27 PM, "C320-list on behalf of Chris Nichols" <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com on behalf of cinichols at btinternet.com> wrote:

    Wish I had done this! Well done. Look forward to another 10+!

    Chris

    > On 9 Oct 2020, at 18:52, Joe Luciano <jnluciano at comcast.net> wrote:
    > 
    > My dripless shaft seal is 15 years old and bellows still looks new.  I inspect it yearly, clean it up, etc.  I see no reason to replace until I see some deterioration.
    > 
    > Joe
    > 
    > Sent from my iPhone
    > 
    >> On Oct 9, 2020, at 10:46 AM, Chris Nichols <cinichols at btinternet.com> wrote:
    >> 
    >> Smacks of liability insurance. Just like their recommended service interval of 7 years or something. In  private they reckon 25 is nearer the mark. 
    >> I certainly know one yacht with one this old and bi it is like new. 
    >> 
    >> I only wish I had known this when I replaced my 8yo unit and got given a duff set of bellows that degraded in only 1 year. They replaced the bellows under warranty but that did not cover the $1000 of haulage and labour the yard charged. 
    >> I’ll bet there is some Boat happily using my previous unit!
    >> 
    >> Chris
    >> 
    >>>> On 9 Oct 2020, at 18:11, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com> wrote:
    >>> 
    >>> I believe you, and it seems reasonable given that they previously sold units with no hose at all.  But then the "burping" becomes important since that is essentially what an unsealed hose does. Current installation instructions specifically say to not seal the end of the hose.
    >>> 
    >>>>> On 10/9/2020 12:39 PM, Chris Nichols wrote:
    >>>> Historically they said that the hose could be sealed off for craft where cruising speed was below (from memory) 13kts. My first one had no hose and simply needed burping about 2x a season. My current one does have the hose  but is sealed off – never an issue.
    >>>> 
    >>>> Chris Nichols
    >>>> 07739787067
    >>>> 
    >>>> From: Scott Thompson
    >>>> Sent: 09 October 2020 15:54
    >>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
    >>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Drip-less Shaft Hose Installation
    >>>> 
    >>>> S
    >>>> 
    >>> 
    >>> -- 
    >>> Scott Thompson
    >>> Surprise, #653
    >>> 
    >> 
    >