Leaky drive shaft hose

[Joel]

The hose surrounding the drive shaft between the tube encasing the shaft and the packing box has developed a leak at the aft end. The drip is only (very) significant when I'm in gear and engine is at cruising speed. Leak is insignificant when engine is off. I've tried tightening the hose clamps, but whether because of awkward angle or lack of my strength I can't move them. I tried looking with a mirror underneath but because of the water and awkward angle I cant see what's happening.

Has anyone experience this?  Could the hose itself be rupturing? Or do I need more force on the hose clamp screws. Is  running the engine when going out for a sail endangering taking on more water than my bilge pump can handle? Boat is 1979 sloop "Counterpoint"  hull 279.



Thanks for your advice,

Joel

[Dale Tanski]

Joel,

I hope it would go without saying, relying on a bilge pump to save you and or the boat, from a known leak defect is not the best practice. 
The leak in the shaft tube could be rotted clamps. If this is the case I would also suspect that the hose is also long overdue to be replaced. 
Stainless steel clamps and a quality length of hose to keep out an endless supply of surrounding water... $45.00.  The alternative... not so good.

Dale

[Randy]

Joel,

I agree with Dale. That's not a repair to put off. It's not that big of a deal to replace the hose. Just have to haul the boat to do so. I believe there is a thread on here that identifies the size of hose and a good source.

Cheers,
Randy

[SailingSeaDragon]

Joel,

I too would like to echo Randy & Dale's advise, this is not a repair to ignore. Should the hose rupture, it will truly "test" even the best bilge pump.

Garner

[Jim S]

Boats don't sink because a bilge pump failed or could not keep up, they sink because they were leaking.  Do all you can to prevent leaks!

[Della and Dave]

How often do you guys that have been around sailboats for a while think the shaft hose needs to be replaced?  Is the PSS shaft seal the way to go when it is time?  We aren't leaking, but it looks old.  Have no idea how old ours is, is there something specific other than leaks that we should look for to know it's time?.  I've read that it is a special hose you need to get, not just regular sewage hose, but I don't know much more that what it says in the book.  Is it a bear to do with the Vee drive? 

[S/V Deo Volente]

I've been told the standard for hose is 10 years by an insurance adjuster.
There is special hose for this.
http://catalog.buckalgonquin.com/viewitems/packing-box-hoses-2/packing-box-hoses-heavy-duty?

[PeteW]

Buck Algonquin is the source for the shaft log hose. The industry has gone to shorter multi-ply hose to make it less prone to twisting and tearing. I keep a spare on board but little good it would do if the hose were to fail. Some sailors I know keep toilet wax rings on board for plugging leaks in emergencies.

Here is what a torn hose looks like.

This was the very first thing I replaced on my boat after I acquired it in 2010. I am lucky I made it to the ship yard for the haul out without sinking. It was down to the last ply.

Toggle clamps are the hot setup these days in place of SS hose clamps.

I have never heard of the shaft log cracking on a Pearson 365. Either way (hose or shaft log) I hope you are on the hard by now and looking at the problem. I'm assuming you have already serviced the stuffing box and that's not the leak. They are supposed to drip when running otherwise they will get hot.

Pete

[sailn]

Buck Algonquin is where I purchased my new hose. It is a special hose, and you can see how much heavier it is, than normal hose. They only sell it by the foot, so you will have a spare. I had no idea how old mine was, and wanted it replaced. When removed I discovered that the previous owner had used cheap hose. It is a pain to change but worth the piece of mind.

[PeteW]

Here's an 1 1/8"ID Stuffing box and hose kit from Buck Algonquin. The Toggle clamps are preferred per ABYC.