View Single Post
Old 10-14-2009, 08:03 AM   #4
Capn Chuck
Guru
 
Capn Chuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 897
RE: Stuffing box question/can of worms

MP, Perhaps you are not getting any info on ceramic seals since the dripless systems use a carbon material for a seal. I would suggest you search for info on the dripless and you will find a few example of catastrophic failures but they are pretty much old information and the same reports repeated over and over. We just installed the PSS on our trawler and covered 800 miles with it so far. We love it and really like not having a stuffing box dripping and the constant need to adjust it on long cruises. Each owner needs to do what is within their comfort levels. We received reports of owners with the dripless systems 5, 10, and one 18 years on the boat with nothing more than normal maintenance. We discounted the advice of those that said don't do it, and had no experience with the units other than internet rehashes of a few cases. But we all know if it is on the internet it must be true, right? I have installed many of these units on other folks boats over many years and to date have heard absolutely no failures. We did add a high water alarm directly under the shaft log as a safety measure, but we are a bit anal on safety devices anyway and have more than one high water alarm. The choice is ultimately yours and remember that on a boat there are any number of possible catastrophic failure points. Chuck
Capn Chuck is offline   Reply With Quote