"druid" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Looking at replacing the stuffing-box on my Crown 28. I had a Lasdrop
installed on my Catalina 36 and it worked flawlessly for 15 years, but
I seem to see more PSS's around. Any pros/cons? Which one is better?

druid
"Coatue" Crown 28
http://www.bcboatnet.org

I used PSS on my old Hunter 28.5 years ago. It worked OK but required to be
burped anytime that air got trapped in the seal. It was easy to do and
since my engine valve was located about 1 foot away I burped it every time I
opened the seacock. How do you know if it is airlocked or not???? It it is
you can overheat the seal when running it.

The other model (by PSS) used a feed off of the engine sea water pump. This
feed forces a water flush to the seal and does not require burping. I
should have gotten this model since my objective was to keep the water from
wetting the floor boards which was a design issue with the boat (lack of a
deep sump located is a good area.) Water from the seal area would flow
under the engine drip pan and wet the floor boards in front of the engine
compartment. Also the boat is constructed with a fiberglass pan with ribs
for support. Little holes were drilled to allow the water forward to the
shallow sump. No access to the holes since the floor was screwed down. Any
angle of heal would also empty the sump on the floow boards. A good design
on paper but it had a few short comings in application.

I use packing in my current boat with great success. But I repack it myself
since I have found out about the brain dead people who work in some boat
yards.


My brother has a seal leaking in his boat. The boat is under warranty
fortunately since it is being hauled out to replace the seal. I do not know
if it is a PSS or Lasdrop. With packing I can always add a ring in port or
with a diver I can completely repack. With the new packing these days I
have found that it lasts easily between haulouts.