Change a Dripless Shaft Seal while in the Water?

[carstenb]

Has anyone here changed a volvo dripless shaft seal while in the water? I can understand how it can be done, but someone has tried it - let me know what challenges showed up so I can hopefully avoid them

[Pandor]

I haven’t any direct experience, other than seeing it done on a YouTube video. But I do have a Volvo dripless seal and I’ve been amazed at its tolerance for lack of maintenance or replacement.

Can you describe the symptoms you are experiencing that warrant immediate replacement rather than waiting until your next haul out?

[SailingHarmonie]

Lots of things can be done with the boat in the water, but absent a true emergency, should not be done if you are more than a 10 minute motor from a working travel lift.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

Lots of things can be done with the boat in the water, but absent a true emergency, should not be done if you are more than a 10 minute motor from a working travel lift.

AGREED!!!!!!

There is still a vast expanse between "COULD" and "SHOULD".

Nobody cares that they saved a couple of hundred dollars or a few hours of time when their boat is on the bottom of the ocean.

[carstenb]

Ok guys. We are in costa rica where there is NOhaul out. Nearest haul is 350nm away. Seal is leaking about2-3 gallons per hour. It needs changing. Not going to 350nm when it is leaking that much

[NorthCoastJoe]

Can you beach the boat at high tide with support legs to keep it upright? Or tie up to a dock that will leave the boat standing on its keel at low tide. At least that way you would reduce the pressure of water coming in if the shaft is still below the water line.

Otherwise a bunch of inner tubes lashed to your hull to support the boat higher.

[carstenb]

Fin keel. Bottom hete is slippery. Not sure i want to try that

[carstenb]

Gonna do it tomorrow. Will let you all know how it works out

[dougweibel]

I don't know anything about Volvo seals but my experience working on Tides Marine shaft seals would lead me to the advice of if the seal can be replaced without having to drift the prop shaft back then it is likely pretty easy. If you have to decouple and drift the shaft back I'd work on getting a spare crash pump and getting yourself to a haul out.

I've done the replacement with a spare seal on the shaft, so no need to decouple and drift the shaft, and it was quicker and easier than expected. I also thought I'd do the same job in the water without a spare seal on the shaft and requiring decoulpling and drifting the shaft and I thank God frequently I held off till the boat was out of the water.

[skipperpete]

Originally Posted by carstenb

Gonna do it tomorrow. Will let you all know how it works out

Prep is everything… measure and check that the seal will definitely fit then do a dummy run with the orange sleeve in place, and I mean perfectly in place because the lip seal part of the Volvo version is very fragile and easily damaged by the sharp keyway, lots of grease but not on the part where the clamp sits, only on the actual sealing ridges. Good luck with the changeover.

[Madehn]

Would like to hear outcome.

[cram]

So?? Is OP still afloat?

[carstenb]

Hang in there guys - it is 5:30 in the morning here in Costa Rica - I'm just having my morning coffee and screwing up my courage to get stated. I'll let you all know later today

[senormechanico]

I replaced our previous (LN 35) boat's PSS shaft seal while at anchor in Mexico.
It was traumatic to think about doing it, but when the rubber hit the road, not that big of a deal. Took about a half hour start to finish, and the rule bilge pump kept up with the inflow running around 90% duty cycle.

[Scorpius]

Talk to Isla Gitana. They may be able to help you dry the boat out. You've got big tides down there (assuming Pacific side).