Mystery Hose on Beneteau

[Bill lowe]

I bought a 1995 Oceanis 281 this summer and want figure out how everything works. The attached photo is of a hose going to a packing gland (?) on the propeller shaft. The hose originates at what appears to be a through-hull shutoff valve just aft of the engine compartmenton on the port side of the propeller shaft (see photo), runs a couple of feet further aft where it attaches to a fitting on the shaft.I’m trying to figure out if water is somehow pumped to the propeller shaft or if it is gravity fed and since there is no leakage, where the water goes once it gets to the shaft. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Tim Donley]

Cutlass bearing water supply

This is an often overlooked item on a lot of boats. This hose supplies water to the shaft log for lubrication of the cutlass bearing and packing gland. With the higher rpm engines and smaller props and sometimes less reduction the shafts are turning faster, thus the need for increased water for lubrication. Does this mean if you don't have this on another boat you should be concearned? Not really, it is nice enchancement to the system that will greatly extend the bearing life.On my Irwin there is a small hole in the shaft tube just forward of the cutlass bearing in the hull for this purpose( I bet some of you never clean this out at haul out).If you dont find this on an installation you really should consider doing this.The installation on this Beneteau is really a good way to do this as the fittings exist without having to improvise the water supply as my Irwin has. Keep in mind most of the older hardware did not address a water supply for this so we had to pretty much be creative in suppling water.Mystery solved, good question. Sail on, Tim

 

[Bill lowe]

Thanks for your help

I appreciate it.