Stern Tube Diameter P365 (& dripless recommendation)

[Popeye.Tom]

Hi all,

Can someone please confirm the stern tube diameter?  What I find in the forums is 2-1/4".  I'm not at the boat and cannot get there easily before ordering.

I've got the boat on the hard.  I think it would be a good time to change to a dripless seal when I change the prop.

Any opinion or experience with a dripless type?

I'm leaning towards the Tides Marine seal:
FSK-1125-2250-0

1 1/8" x 2 1/4"  Minimum Dist. 7 1/4"

The PSS is also an option, but I think I like the no moving parts of the Tides.  The PSS does have the advantage of being more tolerant of shaft surface finish and also no risk of wearing a groove in the shaft.

 PSS Shaft Seal, 1-1/8" Shaft - 2-1/4" Stern Tube
Mfg# 02-118-214

Another option, at a slightly lower price point, is the Lasdrop.
 DrySeal Shaft Seal for 1-1/8" Shaft, 2-1/4" Stern Tube, D-118-214
Mfg# D-118-214

Thanks,
Tom

[eveningebb]

I've been happy with just the old style with Teflon packing. If you're replacing the shaft log or packing hose it is 2 1/4" by 4 1/2". Fisheries supply carries them.

Dirk

[Popeye.Tom]

Thanks Dirk, still not sure what to do, but a truly 'dust dry' bilge would be nice.  Maybe go w/ the teflon packing and consider a Tides Marine or PSS next time!

This is from a packing thread at the cruisersforum.com by Jim Cate: "To the contrary, on our previous boat we had a conventional stuffing box. I replaced the flax with a teflon coated packing and used the special grease that West Marine sold to be used in such affairs. This set up ran cool to the touch and with no static and very little running leakage... for over a decade of full time cruising. Never even needed adjusting once run in. I'd use it again without hesitation in a conventional box."

[Popeye.Tom]

Just was looking at the offerings at West Marine and Englund.

Does anyone know what diameter or size I need for what I am assuming is a original stuffing box.  1/4", 1/2"

Would I use same for the rudder stuffing box?  I don't plan to touch it, it is dry as a bone.  It would be good to have some on hand for later use if needed!

Anyone have experience with this?  It is substantially more than flax with PTFE, but still less than a PSS or Tides!  Green "Moldable" packing.

Flax with Teflon

Western Pacific's flax with PTFE

[eveningebb]

I use 1/4 inch PTFE flax shaft packing and the syntef shaft packing lubricant. I believe it's the same for the rudder post.

My experience has been the same as the post you highlighted.

I rigged a separate low pick up bilge pump to keep the bilge almost dry.

Dirk

[Popeye.Tom]

I never did update this thread, but I put in a Lasdrop Gen 2 and really like it.  I have the seal just vented.  Even though at our speeds the mfr doesn't require cooling, I intend to hook it up to the raw water circuit for lube and cooling as I work on the raw water circuit.

I've only got a short amount of motoring time on it, but I am pleased so far.  We'll have to see how it performs when I really get a chance to put some hours on it motoring.

Cheers and thank you to all that replied.