The stuffing box on my Hunter 40 is leaking badly after every return from a sail. I suspect that the bearing for the shaft is worn and causing the stuffing to wear. I am having the boat hauled and am going to have a dripless stuffing box installed and am thinking of a 3 blade Max-prop. What sizes and pitches do I need to order for the prop and stuffing box? Is this a project for someone who has never done it before? Are there special tools required? What kind of time frame for the install? Never have changed a bearing either. Thanks for the advise.
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No Problem Installing
I have installed both the dripless and the Maxi-prop myself without problems (with a little assitance from some friends when it came to the prop). Your choice of a three bladed will provide for a smoother ride than the 2 blade that I put on. The maxi is adjustable. The size will be provided and the adjustments will be given to you by PYI when you order (have your current pitch and diameter available). There is a model that is adjustable under water which isn't all bad, as some adjustment seems to be necessary. Table provided is approximate. Jim
I have installed both the dripless and the Maxi-prop myself without problems (with a little assitance from some friends when it came to the prop). Your choice of a three bladed will provide for a smoother ride than the 2 blade that I put on. The maxi is adjustable. The size will be provided and the adjustments will be given to you by PYI when you order (have your current pitch and diameter available). There is a model that is adjustable under water which isn't all bad, as some adjustment seems to be necessary. Table provided is approximate. Jim
Zincs
With the two blade prop one puts zincs on the shaft whereas on the 3-blade one needs to use zincs especially made for the prop. Something to consider. Also, order the PSS shaft seal at the same time as the prop and save on shipping.
With the two blade prop one puts zincs on the shaft whereas on the 3-blade one needs to use zincs especially made for the prop. Something to consider. Also, order the PSS shaft seal at the same time as the prop and save on shipping.
Get your ducks in a row before installation.
I found that I had to get some of the lubricant (Lubriplate 130 AA, I think) and it was hard to find it. I looked at 4 stores before I found the right stuff. I found it at one of the boat yards. There are several kinds of Lubriplate 130. It took several hours to find the right kind and the boat was in the sling - costing me money. You should also be sure that you understand how to set the pitch properly and check it quickly. I thought that you just lined up the two letters to each other and luckily I found out that you line up the letters with their corresponding marks. I discovered my mistake by moving the blades to their extreme limits and it was obvious that something was wrong. The people at PYI were very helpful and talked me through setting the pitch correctly. The prop has a zinc of its own but I put two on the shaft as well. The prop works great, does not vibrate much at any speed, and gives me almost another knot of speed.
I found that I had to get some of the lubricant (Lubriplate 130 AA, I think) and it was hard to find it. I looked at 4 stores before I found the right stuff. I found it at one of the boat yards. There are several kinds of Lubriplate 130. It took several hours to find the right kind and the boat was in the sling - costing me money. You should also be sure that you understand how to set the pitch properly and check it quickly. I thought that you just lined up the two letters to each other and luckily I found out that you line up the letters with their corresponding marks. I discovered my mistake by moving the blades to their extreme limits and it was obvious that something was wrong. The people at PYI were very helpful and talked me through setting the pitch correctly. The prop has a zinc of its own but I put two on the shaft as well. The prop works great, does not vibrate much at any speed, and gives me almost another knot of speed.
Different Zinc Answer
The three blade has a specially made zinc on the end of the prop as can be seen in the picture at their web site. http://www.pyiinc.com/maxprop/?SID=d4a8d2906c2a80ebb555f298e60c237e The two blade, on the other hand, has no zincs attached to the prop, rather, the zinc(s) are placed on the shaft. I use two of the "streamlined" types a couple inches in front of the strut. Don't put them right in front of the strut or they could impeed water flow through the cutlass. Don't use too many zincs as this, I've been told, will make matters worse. Sorry for the delay in answering your question; guess I didn't "check-in" for a while and your post went off the "recent list".
The three blade has a specially made zinc on the end of the prop as can be seen in the picture at their web site. http://www.pyiinc.com/maxprop/?SID=d4a8d2906c2a80ebb555f298e60c237e The two blade, on the other hand, has no zincs attached to the prop, rather, the zinc(s) are placed on the shaft. I use two of the "streamlined" types a couple inches in front of the strut. Don't put them right in front of the strut or they could impeed water flow through the cutlass. Don't use too many zincs as this, I've been told, will make matters worse. Sorry for the delay in answering your question; guess I didn't "check-in" for a while and your post went off the "recent list".
Install
Dear Terry: Thank you for your letter. Your thoughts of packing are most likely correct. When the bearing begins to loose its ability of holding the shaft, the stuffing box may begin to start creating some support. The packing begins to wear which cause’s a leak to take place. The propeller needed for your H40 is dependent upon the shaft diameter, installed engine and current propeller. The H40 was available with apx. four different combinations which each carry a different propeller. This also holds true the seal. The shafts available were 1” and 1 ¼”. I would not be afraid of doing the installation yourself. I would think that for the average person the install takes apx. 2 to 3 hours. Of coarse if the boat is out of the water and you suspect the bearing to be failing I would suggest that it be replaced. Once a bearing begins to fail your shaft may suffer damage as well. Please let me know if we can help you out. Sincerely, Kevin L. Woody
Dear Terry: Thank you for your letter. Your thoughts of packing are most likely correct. When the bearing begins to loose its ability of holding the shaft, the stuffing box may begin to start creating some support. The packing begins to wear which cause’s a leak to take place. The propeller needed for your H40 is dependent upon the shaft diameter, installed engine and current propeller. The H40 was available with apx. four different combinations which each carry a different propeller. This also holds true the seal. The shafts available were 1” and 1 ¼”. I would not be afraid of doing the installation yourself. I would think that for the average person the install takes apx. 2 to 3 hours. Of coarse if the boat is out of the water and you suspect the bearing to be failing I would suggest that it be replaced. Once a bearing begins to fail your shaft may suffer damage as well. Please let me know if we can help you out. Sincerely, Kevin L. Woody
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