Ariosa, my comments.

The original lip seal on shaft failed after last years major overhaul. It was not replaced during the overhaul simply because I ran out of funds to add anything else to the already extensive list. It was not leaking and thus was not even on the nice to do list at the time. The seal failed after the yard period but not due to normal wear. The seawater inlet hose to the upper end of the stern tube was blocked with a wasp’s nest. It prevented the seal from getting water and it wore out quickly.

The new seal is a PSS dripless with a vent. It is a 30 mm shaft size with a 2 1/4 stern tube size. I should have it installed by the end of Febuary 

Well here I sit, it’s winter and I am normally left alone at this time of year. It’s not bad sitting beside the pier, kinda quiet with the water lapping my sides. None of those pesky birds $%!&!#@ all over me like in the summer. I was all ready to enjoy a nice winter.

BUT NO…….MR. I’M THE CAPTAIN has to sit my Keel up on the hard….and I don’t care what he says, my shaft seal was just as tight as the day I first saw water. I was not drbbling, and those hull valves were fine. He thinks I need new ones just because they were ten years old. What’s he think this is a sub safe program…….

I think the Captain needs to move on….

Signed

The Boat