My new Catalina 400 was just delivered to the dealer and will undergo about a month of commissioning before I close. Although I was thinking about purchase of a dripless system, turns out the PTI PSS shaft seal is already installed! Had no idea and it wasn't on the list of included equipment. I'm a happy guy! Here is my question: I have absolutely no experience with a dripless shaft seal system. For well over 20 years I've been pulling/repacking flax. Are there any particular things I need to be aware of and/or be concerned about? The dealer only recently truly became interesed in selling new boats and isn't going to be a lot of help here. The engine is a 4GMF57 Yanmar spinning a 3-bladed prop on a 1 1/2" shaft. Thanks in advance for any advice anyone out there can provide. Tim Leighton (as yet unnamed C-400)
- Status
Couple Comments
1. After the boat is put in the water and before the transmission is put in gear it is recommended that it be "burped". Just pull the pleated tube back/aft away from the stainless collar to allow the air to escape and water to enter the cavity. Do this every time the boat is hauled and put back into the water. 2. After a few years there will be some occasional water spray from the collar. At first it will be just an occasional drip but this will worsen with time. At the point when you think it's to much it will be time for the collar to be readjusted to take up the slack and set in the pleated tube. 3. You should get an allen wrench, a spare O-ring, and some jelly for the O-ring. 4. The URL for PYI is www.pyiinc.com. They are really helpful and may have more to say. I've had mine for 13 years now and it's worked really well to keep water out from under the engine and out of the bilge. Seeing it installed as 'standard equipment' is a plesant surprise!
1. After the boat is put in the water and before the transmission is put in gear it is recommended that it be "burped". Just pull the pleated tube back/aft away from the stainless collar to allow the air to escape and water to enter the cavity. Do this every time the boat is hauled and put back into the water. 2. After a few years there will be some occasional water spray from the collar. At first it will be just an occasional drip but this will worsen with time. At the point when you think it's to much it will be time for the collar to be readjusted to take up the slack and set in the pleated tube. 3. You should get an allen wrench, a spare O-ring, and some jelly for the O-ring. 4. The URL for PYI is www.pyiinc.com. They are really helpful and may have more to say. I've had mine for 13 years now and it's worked really well to keep water out from under the engine and out of the bilge. Seeing it installed as 'standard equipment' is a plesant surprise!
John said it all
Just to emphasize what John said, make sure you or the marina berps it when it first enters the water . . . Now since you don't have to buy a dripless, ever think about a PSI feathering prop? <grin> You'll love the dripless (4 year experience).
Just to emphasize what John said, make sure you or the marina berps it when it first enters the water . . . Now since you don't have to buy a dripless, ever think about a PSI feathering prop? <grin> You'll love the dripless (4 year experience).
Burp it.
Dear Tim, Thanks to all who shared your thoughts and ideas on the shaft seal. You can see our installation sheet and instructions on our web site www.pyiinc.com. You will need each and every time the vessel is lifted and placed back in the water to burp the seal. To do this you would move aft the carbon face away from the rotor by compressing the bellow. The air will escape allowing water to now find its way to the carbon creating the needed lubrication. Without the lubrication of water, the seal will begin to make a high pitch squeal. As with all through hull points you should check to see if the components are still in there respective places and that all items are still tight. This is explained in greater depth on the web site. Good luck. Kevin
Dear Tim, Thanks to all who shared your thoughts and ideas on the shaft seal. You can see our installation sheet and instructions on our web site www.pyiinc.com. You will need each and every time the vessel is lifted and placed back in the water to burp the seal. To do this you would move aft the carbon face away from the rotor by compressing the bellow. The air will escape allowing water to now find its way to the carbon creating the needed lubrication. Without the lubrication of water, the seal will begin to make a high pitch squeal. As with all through hull points you should check to see if the components are still in there respective places and that all items are still tight. This is explained in greater depth on the web site. Good luck. Kevin
THANKS!!
Thanks for all the sage advice. I too was very surprised with this new standard feature on the 400. Looking forward to a dry bilge..especially after 16 years of dealing with that annoying slow drip from a packing gland seal!! FYI, I'll put a post on the site in a day or so with highlights from my tour yesterday of the factory near Tampa. Outstanding experience and one I'd highly recommend for all new owners. With airline tickets so darn cheap these days, there is very little out of pocket expense in making such a trip. I did it from Norfolk, VA all in one day (a very l o n g day, but still in one day!). Thanks again to all. Tim Leighton
Thanks for all the sage advice. I too was very surprised with this new standard feature on the 400. Looking forward to a dry bilge..especially after 16 years of dealing with that annoying slow drip from a packing gland seal!! FYI, I'll put a post on the site in a day or so with highlights from my tour yesterday of the factory near Tampa. Outstanding experience and one I'd highly recommend for all new owners. With airline tickets so darn cheap these days, there is very little out of pocket expense in making such a trip. I did it from Norfolk, VA all in one day (a very l o n g day, but still in one day!). Thanks again to all. Tim Leighton
One more thing...
You also need to burp it whenever you have had a diver clean your boat's bottom. The exhaled air from the diver's tanks (or hooka rig) will travel up the shaft log and create a bubble in your PSS that needs to be removed. Burping is easy, no tools are needed and only takes a few minutes.
You also need to burp it whenever you have had a diver clean your boat's bottom. The exhaled air from the diver's tanks (or hooka rig) will travel up the shaft log and create a bubble in your PSS that needs to be removed. Burping is easy, no tools are needed and only takes a few minutes.
PSS
One more thing on your PSS. Make sure there are two locking screws per hole on the stainless steel part of your PSS. I found out the hard way that mine didn't and the Stainless Steel part of the PSS backed away from the bellows and the water just poured in. So give it a visual inspection from time to time to make sure the locking screws are still in place
One more thing on your PSS. Make sure there are two locking screws per hole on the stainless steel part of your PSS. I found out the hard way that mine didn't and the Stainless Steel part of the PSS backed away from the bellows and the water just poured in. So give it a visual inspection from time to time to make sure the locking screws are still in place
yeah...me too...Scared the bejesus out of me
until I found out where the water was coming from...very easy to fix...I just slid the stainless steel collar back down.... When I got back to the marina I reset everything and it was fine...so every year make sure those set screws are in good....A suggestion someone made is to put a stainless steel hose clamp on the shaft just above the stainless "donut"....so just in case it does loosen up it won't move......sounds likea prudent suggestion........ Other than that (with these few cautions)..I think it was a great product!...
until I found out where the water was coming from...very easy to fix...I just slid the stainless steel collar back down.... When I got back to the marina I reset everything and it was fine...so every year make sure those set screws are in good....A suggestion someone made is to put a stainless steel hose clamp on the shaft just above the stainless "donut"....so just in case it does loosen up it won't move......sounds likea prudent suggestion........ Other than that (with these few cautions)..I think it was a great product!...
New PYI / PSS shaft seal on my boat too
I have had my boat out of the water for the past few months since my job has taken me away from boating and I also wanted to leave it out during the remainder of the hurricane season. It was time for a bottom job and other minor maintenance. I missed out on a lot of good sailing weather over the past few months. While the boat was out, I has a new dripless shaft seal installed on my h340. I put the boat back in the water last Saturday morning. I read the brochure which was very helpful so I knew what the fine dust was after I first ran the engine in gear for a few minutes. Later when I was winterizing the boat, I accidentally leaned a jug of antifreeze against the shaft seal and water started pouring in. Oops! At least I know it is burped. I think I am going to like the dripless seal but I will inspect it regularly. I like the idea of the hose clamp around the shaft too.
I have had my boat out of the water for the past few months since my job has taken me away from boating and I also wanted to leave it out during the remainder of the hurricane season. It was time for a bottom job and other minor maintenance. I missed out on a lot of good sailing weather over the past few months. While the boat was out, I has a new dripless shaft seal installed on my h340. I put the boat back in the water last Saturday morning. I read the brochure which was very helpful so I knew what the fine dust was after I first ran the engine in gear for a few minutes. Later when I was winterizing the boat, I accidentally leaned a jug of antifreeze against the shaft seal and water started pouring in. Oops! At least I know it is burped. I think I am going to like the dripless seal but I will inspect it regularly. I like the idea of the hose clamp around the shaft too.
PSS is the greatest
I have had a PYI PSS in my O'Day 39 for four years. Been across the Gulfstream in 50 knot blows. Been through two hurricaines. Boat was up in the tree tops after Floyd. A barge from Miami came to the Bahamas and lifted it out of the tree tops by a huge crane and set it into the water. I simply burped the PSS and off I went. Almost all the boats in the area were severely damaged but my O'Day 39 with its super strong hull pulled through without a scratch!!!!
I have had a PYI PSS in my O'Day 39 for four years. Been across the Gulfstream in 50 knot blows. Been through two hurricaines. Boat was up in the tree tops after Floyd. A barge from Miami came to the Bahamas and lifted it out of the tree tops by a huge crane and set it into the water. I simply burped the PSS and off I went. Almost all the boats in the area were severely damaged but my O'Day 39 with its super strong hull pulled through without a scratch!!!!
PSS is the greatest
I have had a PYI PSS in my O'Day 39 for four years. Been across the Gulfstream in 50 knot blows. Been through two hurricaines. Boat was up in the tree tops after Floyd. A barge from Miami came to the Bahamas and lifted it out of the tree tops by a huge crane and set it into the water. I simply burped the PSS and off I went. Almost all the boats in the area were severely damaged but my O'Day 39 with its super strong hull pulled through without a scratch!!!!
I have had a PYI PSS in my O'Day 39 for four years. Been across the Gulfstream in 50 knot blows. Been through two hurricaines. Boat was up in the tree tops after Floyd. A barge from Miami came to the Bahamas and lifted it out of the tree tops by a huge crane and set it into the water. I simply burped the PSS and off I went. Almost all the boats in the area were severely damaged but my O'Day 39 with its super strong hull pulled through without a scratch!!!!
- Status