Packing on shaft seals of new Hunters

[Ed]

I have been reading with great interest on this forum the advantages to using a teflon impregnated flax in the shaft stuffing box. What does Hunter use on new boats? Is this product enough "Better" that I should change out the packing on a new boat prior to launching it next spring? Or, should I consider using a dripless seal - woried about failure of them - although I guess it is very unlikely, don't want to be the one that has the horror story to tell. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Bob Bass]

Make sure it's Teflon

I don't know what Hunter is using now, but on my 1997 it was the old-fashoned flax. After a few months, I changed it out to Teflon. Then after four years and about 1800 hours of running, I replace the Teflon again and found that only the last wrap had shown any wear. I am very happy with the Teflon and see no need to change to a dripless. Save your money!

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Second Bob's Motion ..................

......... that dripless mechanical seals are a WASTE OF MONEY. Let's leave them on high speed industrial pumps where they belong. Teflon impregnated flax is perfectly adequate for a dripless packing gland.Regards,s/v Island Hunter

 

[Ed Schenck]

Is Teflon dripless?

I have read good things about Teflon flax packing. But is it dripless? I am just about through my third season with "drip-less moldable" packing, see Related Link. It's a little more expensive but there is enough in a kit for the life of the boat. I have not touched the stuffing box since I installed the dripless in the Spring of 2000. Not one drip that I could detect in those three years.

 

[John K Kudera]

Yes Dripless!

I installed the teflon packing along with the flax as the instructions say, and used the waterproof grease, no drips this season at all, dry bilge, no smell, can it be better?

 

[Richard Wallace]

My 2 Cents

I have had a dripless PSS packing system on my boat for several years. Other than remembering to "burp" it when you first drop it in the water, it totally maintenance free. There really isn't anything to go wrong. It never drips a single drop of water and I definitely like that feature.