jungpeter
Guru
My boat is a 2000-vintage Pacific Trawler 40 (hull #39), and is equipped with a Tides Marine "Strong Seal" shaft seal. This seal is the earlier version of the current SureSeal shaft seal. For those not familiar with the Tides Marine seals, they use a lip seal to provide a drip-free self aligning seal to the propellor shaft. My installation came equipped with a spare seal, riding in a carrier in front of the housing. One of the purported advantages of the Tides Marine Strong Seal is that a leaking lip seal is replaceable without hauling the boat.
Well, after 17 years, mine now leaks! About 12 drips per minute, which is WAY too much for my comfort.
So-has anyone that has the same Tides Marine Strong Seal ever actually replaced their lip seal without hauling? I've talked at length with Tides technical support, who were very helpful and obviously knowledgeable. The technician was adamant that they have NEVER had an in-water seal replacement go awry, but freely admit that it isn't the 10-minute job the online installation video claims.
The main issue seems to be lack of access, precluding easy removal of the spiral retaining ring for the old seal, removing the old seal itself, and getting the new seal in place without cocking or damage to the new seal. Use of the carrier as a push block against the new seal is recommended, as well as use of sliding bar clamps on each side of the carrier to provide axial "push" against the new seal to seat it. Tides didn't have an issue with the (probably) 17 year old replacement seal, given that it's in good shape (no cracking, no obvious deterioration of the rubber, presence of the seal tension spring, etc.).
Yup, water ingresses once the old seal is removed. Probably enough to make the installer uncomfortably wet, and frustrated, and anxious if the new seal installation gets hung up. But, it's a boat, and I've replaced many an old-style packing gland in the water without issue, so I'm aware of the leakage issue.
So again, has anyone ever replaced one of these seals in the water?
Regards,
Pete
Well, after 17 years, mine now leaks! About 12 drips per minute, which is WAY too much for my comfort.
So-has anyone that has the same Tides Marine Strong Seal ever actually replaced their lip seal without hauling? I've talked at length with Tides technical support, who were very helpful and obviously knowledgeable. The technician was adamant that they have NEVER had an in-water seal replacement go awry, but freely admit that it isn't the 10-minute job the online installation video claims.
The main issue seems to be lack of access, precluding easy removal of the spiral retaining ring for the old seal, removing the old seal itself, and getting the new seal in place without cocking or damage to the new seal. Use of the carrier as a push block against the new seal is recommended, as well as use of sliding bar clamps on each side of the carrier to provide axial "push" against the new seal to seat it. Tides didn't have an issue with the (probably) 17 year old replacement seal, given that it's in good shape (no cracking, no obvious deterioration of the rubber, presence of the seal tension spring, etc.).
Yup, water ingresses once the old seal is removed. Probably enough to make the installer uncomfortably wet, and frustrated, and anxious if the new seal installation gets hung up. But, it's a boat, and I've replaced many an old-style packing gland in the water without issue, so I'm aware of the leakage issue.
So again, has anyone ever replaced one of these seals in the water?
Regards,
Pete