To Drip or Not To Drip

(srock) · (srock) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 07-29-2009, 12:17 PM

I'm looking at a replacement scenario of a failed packing gland. Any opinions on dripless packing systems versus the old standard?

(ccryder) · (ccryder) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-29-2009, 12:33 PM

I have had both, and dripless is the way to go if you have the chance. It is water lubricated, self adjusting and I have never had to do any maintenance on a dripless.

(dhcomp) · (dhcomp) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 07-29-2009, 12:33 PM

I'd go with the Watercooled drippless setup.

http://ojprops.com/products/shaft_seals

Comes as a stock option on malibu's.

(alans) · (alans) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 07-29-2009, 12:34 PM

Drip less is the way to go. If installed properly, I would say there are no downsides.

(alans) · (alans) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 07-29-2009, 12:58 PM

I have had all good experiences with these http://www.shaftseal.com/product_categories/300000001

(srock) · (srock) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 07-29-2009, 1:49 PM

My only concern was failure and sinking.

I think this is more of a possibility with dripless than traditional systems although I've never heard of a dripless failure. I have also heard complaints about (salt)water being thrown from drip systems.

(snork) · (snork) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 07-29-2009, 4:29 PM

I prefer not having the drips

(ldr) · (ldr) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 07-29-2009, 4:33 PM

I'm thinking about getting one of these.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-V-DRIVE-1-SHAFT-SEALED-BEARING-LOG-SEAL-DRAG-BOAT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQh ashZitem35a216e4d3QQitemZ230352676051QQptZBoatQ5fP artsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

My neighbor knows the guy who makes them and has one on his boat and hasn't had any problems at all. Completely eliminates having to make any adjustments which i'm hating right now with my current shaft log.

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-29-2009, 4:39 PM

Give the guys at Discount Inboard Marine a call.... http://www.skidim.com

They have a "virtually dripless" setup that costs like $12. It's made from Goretex & been recommended by everyone I've talked to who has used it. Basically tighten it down & stop worrying about it. I've bought it, but have yet to install it.... I decided I'd rather ride than do that for now. Probably in the off season.

(srock) · (srock) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 07-30-2009, 6:51 AM

I worry about bearings because of my salt water use.

I've heard the key on the goretex is to make sure you maintain some water dripping, just like the standard packing system, as a lubricant because you can score the shaft.

So far I'm thinking of going with the PSS becasue of the long list of manufactures that use their system.

FYI this is going on my twin inboard used 100% in salt and often 20+ miles offshore.

(greg2) · (greg2) **Join Date: May 2002** 07-30-2009, 10:34 PM

Bill, let me know when you get ready to change it...I did it on my 04. Built a couple of wrenches and learned a few tricks along the way!!

(alans) · (alans) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 07-31-2009, 4:27 AM

Yea, the PSS system is genius. It makes you wonder why anyone even bothers with other designs. If you don't know how it works, watch their little video.

There are cases in large yachts where you can not have a straight shaft and you need a "no play" packing like the OJ solution, but in a wakeboat situation it only makes alignment more of an issue.

I have seen 1 case in my life of a PSS leaking. It was due to a scratch in the Ceramic. The customer cleaned out the bottom of his boat the prior summer and and had major fiberglass repair and all new underwater gear. The shop that did the repair did not replace the PSS, but instead used the old one, which I believe they scratched and reinstalled. It caused a small spring leak that the customer had be fix a year later.

(wakescene) · (wakescene) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 07-31-2009, 9:34 AM

The PSS system is great, IF you have the room to adjust it. It requires about 6.5 - 7" of clearance.

The PSS system WAS NOT designed for Tournament Inboard ski-boats! I know this because a few years ago I switched over to this and had nothing but problems with leaking b/c there is no room under my V-drive to adjust it properly. I switched to the OJ version (requires 4.5" clearance) and have not had a single drop in 40 hours.

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-31-2009, 9:44 AM

Sweet. I'm gonna take you up on that Greg. Probably wait till the weather cools off & we're not using the boats as much though.