Naiad Stabilizer Shaft Seals

Hi everyone,
I have 1991 Naiad stabilizers on my vessel and the shaft seals seem to be weeping sea water just a bit. Looks like it’s time for new seals. Just wondering what others have paid to have this done while hauled out at the yard?
I don’t want to get ripped off.
I’ve seen YouTube videos on how they remove the fins. Looks like specialized equipment.
Thank you for your input.
Taras

I have ABT Trac. If i get sea water in the boat, that would mean water had entered into the lube oil and I would now have saltwater on the bearings. On my boat, seals keep seawater from 90 weight oil and bearings, and the oil out of the boat.

Gordon

Where are you located?Perhaps we can recommend a yard or tech from prior experience. Costs depend on part of country and what else they find out when they are in there. If you are seeing water that is potentially a bad sign, replacing the seals every few years is a necessary PM item, not a reaction-driven thing. It's been awhile since I had a boat with 252's and I don't recall what I paid, but it was just a PM item and I don't recall it being all that expensive. Some guys get the equipment and DIY.... there's an old discussion on the Hatteras Owners Forum on that.

You can call Naiad and discuss as well.

Greetings,
Mr. T. We had Naiad seals done at the Hinkley yard in Thunderbolt, GA about 8 years ago. $5K, IF I recall correctly. Seals and bearings. No problems since and dry as a bone.

Had my Niaids removed and seals done 2x in 2006 (Ft Lauderdale) and again in 2010 (Fall River). Cost about $1K in Ft Lauderdale and a bit more because of travel time in Massachusetts. Both jobs were routine with no problem before and none after. Sounds like you have a bigger problem if seawater is leaking into the boat.

If sea water is weeping slightly past the seal and into the boat (very small amount), I’m assuming that there is a chance the shaft on the fin may corrode?
Is that the potential problem?
We’ve had this boat for 2 years and plan a haul out soon. What other potential problems could result from a leaky seal?

A friend had them done last year. The fins were stuck and I mean stuck. They had to cut away the glass so they could get torches on the shaft. $12k later they were finished

Taras said:

If sea water is weeping slightly past the seal and into the boat (very small amount), I’m assuming that there is a chance the shaft on the fin may corrode?
Is that the potential problem?
We’ve had this boat for 2 years and plan a haul out soon. What other potential problems could result from a leaky seal?

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Corrosion to the bearings and races.

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. T. We had Naiad seals done at the Hinkley yard in Thunderbolt, GA about 8 years ago. $5K, IF I recall correctly. Seals and bearings. No problems since and dry as a bone.

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You are way past due for a PM on those things. You might not have intrusion all the way into the interior of the boat that you can see, but the seawater can very likely be diluting and destroying the lubrication protecting the shaft. This is really not something you, your boat or your bank account want to take chances on, I don't think.

My failed memory seems to suggest, the seals must be replaced every 5 years???? Do not rely on my memory.

Best advice, call NAIAD

OldDan1943 said:

My failed memory seems to suggest, the seals must be replaced every 5 years???? Do not rely on my memory.

Best advice, call NAIAD

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3 years or 4000 hours whichever comes first.

caltexflanc said:

3 years or 4000 hours whichever comes first.

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I stand corrected.
WE assume the 4000 hours is hours of use and not sitting tied to the dock?

OldDan1943 said:

I stand corrected.
WE assume the 4000 hours is hours of use and not sitting tied to the dock?

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Seeing as there are 8760 hours in a year.....

Outer Shaft Seals are just under $30 and you need two per side. Crush Washers are about the same and you need four per side but you may be up for a bit more depending on how the shafts and bearings are.

Funnily enough if you don’t use your stabilisers Naiad recommend changing the seals more often.

PaulGel said:

Outer Shaft Seals are just under $30 and you need two per side. Crush Washers are about the same and you need four per side but you may be up for a bit more depending on how the shafts and bearings are.

Funnily enough if you don’t use your stabilisers Naiad recommend changing the seals more often.

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You should always have them on when under way regardless of conditions. Center them when docking or in reverse.

In particular basis for this advice? I have never heard this before.

Naiad, for one. But what happens is if you do not have the stabilizers on they will flop around a lot, every which way while underway. You can see why when the boat is out of the water, you can move the fins around easily by hand. When the stabilizers are on, in calm conditions, they will stay in place until a roll situation actuates them. Also helps fuel efficiency a little, less drag.

caltexflanc said:

Naiad, for one. But what happens is if you do not have the stabilizers on they will flop around a lot, every which way while underway. You can see why when the boat is out of the water, you can move the fins around easily by hand. When the stabilizers are on, in calm conditions, they will stay in place until a roll situation actuates them. Also helps fuel efficiency a little, less drag.

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Ok got it. I think you will find that NAIAD recommend different things for different systems. i.e. Some use engine oil some use hydraulic fluid. Later ones with auto lock don’t flop around when centered. If they are properly rigged you shouldn’t use more fuel when they are centered. In fact we go faster with them off and if I turn them off completely I save even more fuel.

PaulGel said:

Ok got it. I think you will find that NAIAD recommend different things for different systems. i.e. Some use engine oil some use hydraulic fluid. Later ones with auto lock don’t flop around when centered. If they are properly rigged you shouldn’t use more fuel when they are centered. In fact we go faster with them off and if I turn them off completely I save even more fuel.

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Which system do you have exactly? I am referring to my experience with 252s and others from that family.

Of course the easiest route is to RTFM and consult with the vendor when in doubt

I appreciate everyone’s responses thus far. I’ll definitely replace the shaft seals at my haul out. So if my bearings are a bit corroded, is that an expensive fix? Anyone have experience with that process?

NAIAD 252 with Multisea II controller and 7sft Fins. I have spent a fair bit of time talking to NAIAD.

Taras,

Back to your issue. The cost is going to very dependent on the condition of your shaft, bearings etc. There are people who have improvised the tools to remove the fins etc but I wouldn’t recommend it. The boat needs to be lifted and someone experienced with stabilizers etc needs to do the work. You don’t necessarily need to go with a NAIAD recommended yard. Whereabouts are you?

My 2000 Grand Banks 42C has Naiad stabilizers - installed new by Stabilized Marine in Ft. Lauderdale. 954-797-7330. I highly recommend them if you're anywhere within reason. I have them come to Ft. Myers (usually set it up when they have other nearby calls & split the travel). Either way, they are definitely worth talking to about your situation. They know their stuff and can be creative with problem solving (not just parts replacers).

The PO postponed routine maintenance and it got costly. Seals totally gone, shafts pitted, etc. His repair bill was close to 13K! I am a preventive maintenance kind of guy and I had Stabilized do a routine seal job at my last haulout (River Forest Yachting Center - LaBelle location). A tad over 1200.00 total. That was 2 years ago and I plan to have boat pulled, bottom paint & stabilizers serviced by both companies again early next year.

IMO, if you're seeing water weeping in around the shaft(s), then the seals might be gone. I'd be looking to service them sooner than later.

My boat is in Marina Del Rey, CA.
I’m sure the yard here can do it. Just trying to get a sample of the costs that are expected. Sounds like 1 to 2 boat bucks for the seals. Hopefully that’s all they’ll need. Thanks everyone for your input. Very helpful ��

I also agree with a previous post that you need to get folks who know Naiad stabilizers to do the work. I watched the guys do mine and there are definitely special tools involved (especially the tool to "pop" the fins from their shafts. This is certainly a job for specialists.