On 21 Apr 2009, at 22:33, Brian on Harnser wrote: > Tony Brooks brought next idea : > >>>> >>>> Personally I would never fit an automatic bilge pump. The >>>> accommodation >>>> bilge should not have a significant amount of water in it, if >>>> any at all >>>> and the engine bilge should only have rain water in it. However I, >>>> personally, do not subscribe to the stern-gland must drip >>>> argument so all >>>> mine has to deal with is rain and as long as you visit fairly >>>> regularly it >>>> never gets above the engine beds. I do take great care in >>>> exactly how I >>>> adjust the stern-gland and I do have an Aquadrive which helps >>>> minimise >>>> packing wear. > Well its a good job some of the hire boats round here fit them as some > of them tend to pump out the bilge at every other lock or bend, I > sometimes think that maybe they are raw water cooled
I have never been able to get the stern gland to be drip free on nb Lark Rise - despite 10 years of, OK, fairly desultory, trying. There is a Centaflex coupling but the shaft is very short, on account of the engine being impressively close to the stern. The engine has been realigned [professionally] three times and the mountings changed for harder ones. Last year it became necessary to replace the prop shaft which was nicely waisted/wasted. I imagine that an Aquadrive would help, but in the meantime I wouldn't be without my auto bilge pump, thanks. Baz
