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Blog EntryApr 17, '06 6:44 PM
by aurignyman for everyone
I have a 1973 Ballad which had an oil fed stern gland. Nothing but hassle as gland kept leaking despite changing seals. My local Volvo dealer has just fitted a sort of water fed dripless seal ( not the Volvo dripless seal) which is made of corrugated red rubber & a black seal. The thing is leaking like crazy especially when the engine is in gear at  slow speed!! My engine is a Volvo MD2020. Does anybody know of the best seal to use ??
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msn-patentnick1 wrote on Apr 18, '06
Hi:
 
At the end of 2003, I changed my grease-fed stern gland to a Volvo drip-free lip seal and have had no problems since.. It's extremely easy to fit, cheap (around 40 euros), lasts for 5-7 years and only requires annual greasing at haul-out. You just have to make sure that, when you insert it, the propshaft is totally unblemished; otherwise the seals may be damaged. There're other good seals on the market (namely, PSS), but "Moments of Clarity" has been re-engined with a 25hp Sole/Mitsubishi whose gearbox leaves no room for longer seals.  If your seal is OK, the leaks you are experiencing may be due to a misaligned propshaft and/or excessively worn cutlass bearing. Also, is your propshaft straight and true?  All these factors would cause enough vibration (especially at low revs) to let water in. If you have space between your gearbox and the stern gland, I would also highly recommend a flexible coupling.  This will compensate for a tiny bit of misalignment but is no substitute for correct alignment. 
 
I hope this helps,
 
Nicholas
"Moments of Clarity" #334
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msn-aballport wrote on Apr 18, '06
I have a dripless seal that works well, I don't know the brand off hand, I think it might be PSS. One thing I have noticed about it is that  when the boat is launched after a haul out or even sometimes in rough weather when the propellor lifts out of water for a moment, air will get into it causing a squealing sound. It is corrected by compressing the bellows for a moment and letting some water squirt in to bleed off the air. It needs to be wet for cooling and lubrication. Higher speed boats actualy need a resevoir of lubricant connected to the seal to assist with this.
 
I have always felt that the packing gland of the Ballad is its Achilles Heel because it is hard to get at, easy to neglect, and originaly consisted of a rubber hose and a clamp. If it fails it will not be easy to deal with. If you have not looked at your packing gland lately please do so.
 
Regards, Tony Allport, Pleiades #191
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msn-ballad9x7 wrote on Apr 18, '06
We have fitted a Deep Sea Seal on Ballad 63, I believe they are quite popular, a number of other local boats have also fitted them. It has been mainly trouble free but you do need to inspect it regularly and they do not last forever!. Try the following link:
 
Hope this is helpful.
 
Chris
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msn-johnleecotton wrote on Apr 21, '06
Two seasons with a PSS shaft seal have been trouble- and leak-free.
Points to watch:
1) The space available in my Ballad was less than specified in the manufacturer's instructions. Removing some of the length of the rubber bellows solved that, but left only room for single clamps instead of the recommended double.
2) Squeals: Caused by lack of water at the seal surface. Manufacturer would only sell me the version with an air-bleed-off connection. Turned out to be very sensible. I attached a length of transparent hose, rising vertically to a tap. When launching, the trapped air is bled off by opening the tap. Easy to check water level. Seal is then lubricated by the trapped water.
Good sailing!
John Cotton.
 'Josin'
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