Stuffing Box Alternative

[Rainbow]

Does anyone have any experience with the dripless stuffing boxes? They essentially act as a washerless faucet. I'm considering putting one in my Dickerson 35.

Thanks

[Gary E]

Many use them and like them.

Here is the other side....
"The twin engine boat was fitted with a "dripless" shaft sealing system. We reported this morning that this was a PSS brand dripless shaft seal - we were told this by the Coast Guard. This has proven to be incorrect - and our apologies to PSS (we know lots of folks that have this product and are enthusiastic about them). What manufacturer of dripless shaft seal the boat does have is now unclear."

Read more of the story here,,,,

http://www.towndock.net/boatdeliverydeath_update4.html

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:hlhIwiy9yEcJ:www.towndock.net/+Marine+engine+dripless+shaft+seals+&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=50

And anothers experience here....
http://www.alberg37.org/Project%20DB/Shaft%20Seal%20Problems.htm

I have seen them in use on very expensive Sportfish boats, and I found no one who did not like them.
BUT, I think it comes down to proper instalation.

[Michael s/v Sannyasin]

I don't have any experience with the stuffing boxes with mechanical seals, but have heard mixed things about them as far as failure rates, expense.

Another alternative is to use a dripless packing flax. I put in the GFO gortex flax 3 seasons ago, no leaks, works perfectly, supposed to last several years. It's a cheap alternative that doesn't seem to have a downside.

[Canoeyawl]

The concept is good, the ones that I have installed at the owners request were face seals with a bellows connection to the shaft log. A good seal, but fussy, and the failure is catastrophic. Not just a drip, but a very real leak…I don’t like them.

[Rainbow]

Thanks. Sound advice. I work to keep the bilge tidy, but it's still a long way from "clean room" satus. The dripless packing seems like the way to go.

[Canoeyawl]

The shaft has to be backed out and the coupling removed to repair/renew them -PITA

[dsfixit]

the ship yard i work for dos a lot of thim ok i gess i like old school
thy can be severed in the water

[chucksw]

I use Gore fiber marine packing. It is dripless when adjusted correctly. Easy to install and adjust. Just tighten the packing nut until it stops dripping underway. This is much less expensive and safer than mechanical seals. I have a reciprocating water pump on the 30 year old Yanmar and the same packing works perfectly for that with no drips.

Chuck