Shaft seal advice

[carlager]

We have a Radice RMTA drive shaft seal on our Yanmar 3gm30f in our Oceanis 36cc.

The boat is the water (saltwater) all year round with all seacocks open to prevent damages from ice.

Hope someone will share knowledge and experience on the following

1. Do I need to grease the shaft regularly ?

2. . If yes can the grease inlet be used with the boat In the water ?

3. During spring the shaft will leak a couple of drops when the engine is idle with no throttle. Leak will stop with just a slight throttle in idle, in gear moving forward or backward and when water gets warmer later in the season even in idle with no throttle. Is this normal ?

 

[DougM]

I have a similar, but different brand seal, and the instructions for it specify a drop of grease under the lip only. too much grease would clog the water passage. Typically, grease would be needed once per season.

I question the wisdom of leaving your seacocks open, especially if you're away from the boat. To me, that seems like an accident waiting to happen.

 

[carlager]

I was like you surprised to learn that seacocks should be left open during winter.

The logic or reason is that there is water (saltwater) in the ball In the seacock when it is closed.

When the water freezes into ice it expands and breaks the ball and potentially also the seacock - which will cause uncontrolled inflow of water.

If the seacock is left open the expanding ice will be pushed up in the hose.

 

[Ron20324]

... if the seacock is left open the expanding ice will be pushed up in the hose.

Yeah, up the hose, then the hose will burst, then the boat floods and sinks. Your insurance man will NOT be happy. Practical sense says close them seacocks- or else

I'd be interested to know where you "learned" to leave them open.

 

[carlager]

Insurance actually advice keeping seacocks open during winter when the boat is In the water

 

[carlager]

When the ice is expanding it will push upwards in the hose with limited or no pressure on the sides of the hose. I normally pour antifreeze in the hose to prevent ice in expanding upwards., (Antifreeze is lighter than water and will stay in the hose)