"John Cairns" wrote in message ...
"mike" wrote in message
om...
So I ordered a dripless packing unit from PYI inc. in Seattle, and
they shipped the wrong size (I ordered 1" shaft, 2" shaft tube, they
sent 1 1/8" x 1 3/4). Then somebody tells me that I really didn't
want dripless at all because when they fail, you sink.
Anybody know anything from rumour or personal experience about these
things?
It's a major hassle tightening the packing on my boat- very hard to
reach unless you're that comic book guy from the Fantastic Four with
the really long arms...
Mike

I thought about getting one a while back, $$$$$$ plus the original packing
on my boat lasted 9 seasons until I had to change it. You should only have
to tighten the gland once a season, the "dripless" packing glands have
annual start up "burping" procedure also IIRC, if this is true it puts you
essentially in the same position you were before

Yeah, I've heard about that "burping" deal too. I guess PYI now sells
only the "high speed" models with the water hookup line to prevent
those problems.
I had a jury-rigged universal joint in my driveline because the 20+
year old Aquadrive had failed when the previous owners came to Mexico
a couple of years ago. The local mechanic did a "Mexican Repair" that
has actually held together fine for lots of motoring miles up the
coast of Mexico and back down. The only problem was some vibration
because the U-joint only bent in two directions whereas the Aquadrive
CV type joint moves in all directions- even front to back.
So, the poor little packing gland got really worked, and needed
tightening often.
Now, a "boat unit" + later, I have (as of an hour ago) replaced the
u-joint with a brand new Aquadrive, and man, is it running smoother in
gear! I'm sure the old stuffing box will stay tighter now.
It's too bad I didn't have the correct packing gland here to do that
at the same time- I still plan to do it- since the shaft coupling was
off and it would have saved some work. Oh well.
PYI wqas really good when informed of their screw-up, though, and is
shipping the correct one down for no charge. I guess the next time I
haul out I'll take care of it.
Mike

John Cairns