stuffing box replacement: traditional or dripless

[stiffwind]

Recently had to replace the prop shaft on my Passport 37. The Tides PSS dripless shaft seal that I wanted to use to replace the traditional stuffing box will not fit in the space between the gear box and where the shaft exits the hull, but apparently the Volvo Rubber stuffing box will fit.
I'm skeptical, has anyone had experience with the Volvo product? Am I better off just reinstalling the original stuffing box? If the Volvo product wears out or has a problem, boat must be hauled and shaft removed, which from my standpoint is an unacceptable option. Any suggestions?

[SEMIJim]

To each their own, but I like the simplicity of the plain old conventional stuffing box. Use Gore GFO or GTU packing material (they're the same thing).

Jim

[deniseO30]

My my that space must really be short! the PSS is only about the same length as a traditional stuffing box and looking the volvo (I don't like it)
http://www.volvopenta.com/SiteCollec...0%28Eng%29.pdf
It doesn't look all that short either.

I love the PSS

[oceanscapt]

I'd suppose it depends on how your bilges are arranged. On my boat, the engine bilge's much deeper than the other bilges.

I've always found it a bit reassuring to see the drip..drip....drip of the stuffing box. I use the Gore UFO stuffing and find it lasts longer and requires less adjustment than the conventional packing material. I also like the reassuring sound of the bilge pump going off every 8-10 hours.

[deniseO30]

the downside of have a dripless seal is the bilge water gets pretty... err.. nasty LOL

[SEMIJim]

Our GTU/GFO-stuffed box doesn't drip that much. After about 1-1/2 to 2 hours of motoring, last weekend, and about the same the weekend before, I looked and there was maybe one or two bilge sponges worth of water in there. I left it.

Jim

[Vasco]

I have a Volvo dripless on my B393. I have had no problems in 6 seasons (6 months each) of winter cruising. Volvo says they should be replaced every 500 hours!! I prefer a conventional stuffing box, no catastrophic failures.

I have a conventional stuffing box in my CS36M. Barely drips, shaft is cool and the water runs down under the engine and evaporates. No salt accumulation either. I'm in Lake Ontario.

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by deniseO30

the downside of have a dripless seal is the bilge water gets pretty... err.. nasty LOL

What bilge water? If you have a PSS and water in the blige, your PSS is ready for rebuild
Another good thing about a PSS is you won't have to worry about losing a prop shaft, because the PSS will act as a retainer and keep the shaft from leaving the boat.

[tdw]

Have had the Volvo for three maybe four years now and am more than happy with it.

[deniseO30]

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

What bilge water? If you have a PSS and water in the blige, your PSS is ready for rebuild.

NOT just put it in about 2 yrs ago. Water In comes in from rainstorms,in the fixed windows and a few places not found


Oh, for those that have conventional stuffing boxes. the shaft zinc can be installed a few inches before a cutless bearing if they have the strut type, it will ALSO retain the shaft

And I thought the OP was asking for advice