PSS Shaft Seal for Cat-30

[Allen Schweitzer]

I am going to bite the bullet & spend the $$ to get the PSS dripless shaft seal for my 1977 Cat-30. Does anybody know what the shaft diameter & stern tube outside diameter is for my boat? Does anybody have any feedback about this product, or any idea on how hard it will be to install? What tools I'll need?

 

[Jeff Walker]

I would haul out first

You will need to detach the 1 inch dia. shaft from the transmission housing and pull it out through the back. At that point you can measure the diameter of the hose you will need for the back of the seal. Slide the shaft back though the seal assembly and re-attach. You will have to "burp" the air out to let water into the housing and adjust for leak free operation. I have not done it on my Cat. 30 but a Hunter 410 I have sailed had it installed and it works very well.Good luck,Jeff

 

[Richard]

sources of information

Join the catalina 30 email list group on www.sailnet.com. Many of the owners have done this upgrade and can help you. I know the shaft is a 1" diameter, but I don't know about the stearn tube.

 

[Allen Schweitzer]

Got an Answer

After looking into many different sources, I've found that the back pipe diameter for my boat is 1 5/8". However, there are several different measurements for other Cat-30's, depending on when they were built. I've seen a 1991 model that had a 1 9/16" tube and a 1988 model that had a 1 3/4" tube. Lesson learned: if you're going to do this project, measure yourself because there's just too much variation between model years.Thanks everyone for your feedback!

 

[David]

Something to think about.

My surveyor pointed this out. If the PSS dripless goes out, you are in big trouble! How do you stop the leak and do a quick repair underway. Answer: YOU DON'T. I'll admit, the packing glands can be a pain, but at least you can stuff a piece of T-shirt in as a quick fix underway if need be. I don't think I would install one.