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Do You Carry Emergency Shaft Seal Material?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by DOCKMASTER, Jan 3, 2022.

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  1. DOCKMASTER, Jan 3, 2022
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    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Curious what, if anything, folks carry onboard in case of a dripless shaft seal failure? I know there are some emergency boot type items on the market but they seem to be mostly for smaller shafts. When mine failed we were at the dock and were able to wrap it with plastic and that really sticky white shrink wrap type tape. Rescue tape is perhaps another option. What do you all carry for this?
  2. Capt Ralph, Jan 3, 2022
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Hind sight sux.
    Asking these questions after the time and bux and time and bux and time and bux you have been spent.
    Not much to do or deal with a catastrophic drip-less failure and still operate.
    Just go real fast to a sling waiting for you.

    Meanwhile, anything could work in the place of flax to get you home.
  3. DOCKMASTER, Jan 3, 2022
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    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Wasn’t looking for something to allow me to keep operating. I was curious what folks carry to seal the shaft and then come home on the other wheel. I’m often in remote areas with little help for miles.

    Yes, a lot of bux spent but I have no regrets whatsoever. Just trying to learn from life’s lessons.
  4. Capt Ralph, Jan 4, 2022
    #4
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I guess the best items to stock would be some wrapping tapes as you did use before.
    Maybe install a splash shield over the log also. So if it did leak, heading home would not throw water all over.
    This shield may also help protect it from a stray foot or hand from leaning on the log also.
  5. mapism, Jan 4, 2022
    #5
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Some dripless shaft seals have, either standard or available as an option, a device that can be used to "lock" any water ingress, provided that the shaft is not rotating.

    For instance, Manecraft seals come standard with a collar on the fixed rubber part, that can be manually tightened.
    Though arguably this emergency lock is included as standard because the seal itself is rubbish, and it WILL fail.
    In other words, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone just because it does include an emergency system.

    Another similar system I'm aware of, albeit technically very different, is the optional part that can be fitted on Fluiten seals, with a pneumatic rubber ring enclosed in a steel collar. When inflated with compressed air or with a manual pump, it seals the shaft completely.
    It's actually designed to allow for seal cleaning/maintenance while the boat is in the water, but it can be used also in the event of a seal failure emergency.
    Though that's unheard of with Fluiten, as opposed to Manecraft.

    No idea about whether any emergency device exists also for Lasdrop seals, but since you say that you are often in the middle of nowhere, it's worth at least asking them...
  6. DOCKMASTER, Jan 4, 2022
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    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    I’m very familiar with the inflatable boot type seals as we work on those on commercial ships all the time. Unfortunately, not very relevant here though.
  7. Marblehead01945, Jan 4, 2022
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    Marblehead01945

    Marblehead01945 Member

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    Watching- this happened to me a few years ago. The bolts on the engine mounts on one of the engine failed with a bang and the engine slid about one to two inches or so. This broke the shaft seal and in came the water. Fortunately I hightailed it back to the marina and had the slings waiting when I got there. Glad it wasn't a Sunday. This could have been a much bigger problem had the marina been closed or not been fairly local (within an hour away). I thought maybe some neoprene and hose clamps could work but until I try it I can't be sure.
  8. DOCKMASTER, Jan 4, 2022
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    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    In my area there is only 1 lift and it is often unavailable so counting on this would be a very poor emergency plan on my part. So I need to get back to the dock safely, then perhaps be there for days or longer waiting for the lift.
  9. rtrafford, Jan 4, 2022
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    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Just thinking about this...I'd measure and install a reducing furco with clamps onto the bare of the exposed shaft. Likely could secure your spare seals inside of it. In an emergency you could loosen it, waste your spare seals if needed, and slide it back into position to cover your shaft log, secure the clamps. Otherwise, use your best means and methods to slow the flow, and if you can't get to the sling, add pumps for additional capacity and redundancy.
  10. Capt Ralph, Jan 4, 2022
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I understand nobody wants to jump in those waters, but foam in a can has saved many a hull.
  11. mapism, Jan 4, 2022
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    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Why not relevant? As an emergency solution, it's certainly better than any shrink wrap tape - and also much easier/faster to deploy.

    Of course, I appreciate that you can only fit these devices if your particular seals are designed for them.
    And I'm not suggesting to replace any good seals who are not for this reason alone.
    But for anyone cruising in remote areas where lifting facilities could be hard to find, I think there's something to be said for choosing seals that allows also the installation of some kind of safe fail device.

    That said, just to focus strictly on your question "what, if anything...", my own answer is nothing.
    But I'm very rarely at more than one hour distance from some lifting facilities...
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2022
  12. cleanslate, Jan 4, 2022
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    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Some Oakum, calking cotton, screw driver , rubber mallet, and large pipe wrench to keep the shaft from turning while you go in on one engine …..

    Or if really bad, your socks, , undies and a screw driver and mallet….
  13. mapism, Jan 5, 2022
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    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Well, when I said that I carry nothing to deal with a seal failure, I meant nothing specific.
    I do have spare socks and undies onboard, if that counts! :)
  14. rtrafford, Jan 5, 2022
    #14
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Yeah, there's always room for a can or two stashed away.
  15. chesapeake46, Jan 5, 2022
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    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    People wear undies while boating ?? SMH
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  16. DOCKMASTER, Jan 5, 2022
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    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Some of us wear long undies while boating :):);)
  17. Capt Ralph, Jan 5, 2022
    #17
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    One day, We got to get you to warmer climes...
    :):)
  18. mapism, Jan 5, 2022
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    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Not me, if you're referring to my previous post.
    But my boat is my home for 6+ months/year, and you'll understand why whenever going out for dinner, shopping, etc. I can't always wear nothing but a swimsuit... :)
  19. gr8trn, Jan 5, 2022
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    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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  20. C team, Jan 6, 2022
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    C team

    C team Senior Member

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    So I have had PSS dripless on my Egg harbor and now on my Chris-Craft. I do not carry anything specific for drippless shaft seal failure but you now have my attention.
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