My first one lasted from about 1988 to around 2012. I may have left it in a bit 
long.

Joe Della Barba
Coquina

From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Michael 
Brannon via CnC-List
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 7:03 AM
To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com
Cc: Michael Brannon <ff1...@aol.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Stus-List Mechanical shaft seal options

I asked about maintenance on the PYI seal and was told to replace the bellows 
every 5-7 years.   I’ve found that it is best to replace the unit as by that 
time the carbon seal is starting to score and requires replacement also.   The 
bellows is the weak link in the system and since failure of the bellows would 
be catastrophic I have followed this schedule.   I’ve been using the seal since 
about 1997 and have been very happy with it.

Sail Safe,

Mike

Mike Brannon
Virginia Lee 93295
C&C 36 CB
Virginia Beach, VA




On Dec 12, 2019, at 1:17 PM, Josh Muckley via CnC-List 
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com<mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:

Just a week ago a dock neighbor of ours had this exact twisting action 
completely separate their bellows on a PYI seal.  The only indication of a 
problem from the helm was the fwap, fwap, fwap sound of the vent hose whipping 
around and hitting the inside of the hull.  Evidently the stainless ring a 
lightly seized to the carbon ring.  Seized together the carbon ring rotated 
with the shaft and twisted up the vent hose until the slack was out and then 
amputated the vent at its remote barb fitting.  Fortunately enough, a 
remarkably small amount of flooding occurred.  When the seal was righted in its 
orientation the leak stopped almost completely despite the circumferential 
tear.  The owner knew that the seal needed replaced and in fact was about to 
depart for the boat yard just a few hundred yards away so that they could have 
the seal replaced during the winter.  His other shaft seal looked just about as 
bad too!

On the PYI seals and others with a bellows design, the service life is 
typically 3 to 5 years before recommended replacement.  The bellows has to be 
flexible so a thinner material is used.  Of course the constant stress of 
compressing the bellows is an additional factor degrading the rubber.  In the 
case of PYI this $2 piece of hose costs ~$100.

In the case of the Lasdrop Gen 2 the $2 hose is ridged and thick to resist the 
compression of the SS spring in the seal pack.  The service interval is 8 to 10 
years.


If I was to go back to a packing style seal what would be involved?


Josh Muckley
S/V Sea Hawk
1989 C&C 37+
Solomons, MD

On Thu, Dec 12, 2019, 12:17 PM Len Mitchell via CnC-List 
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com<mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
Josh, Shawn is correct. The 6 inch or so piece of hose on the original packing 
gland. I would bet a high number of boats still have it in service. Mine was 20 
years old when I replaced it and the outer rubber layer had cracks in it. There 
isn’t a lot of water pressure on it but it gets a little twisting force. Any 
original rubber hose should be gone by now. Len

Sent from my iPad
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