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Bow thruster seal for SM
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ianjenkins1946 <ianjudyjenkins@hotmail.com>
Hi all,
Our bow thruster was gently losing oil. Though we rarely use it, as we like to anchor everywhere, it is 20 years old and I suspect that there is a shallow groove where the seal sits on the shaft. I have now switched from a 30mm inside diameter to a 29mm so
this may do the trick.
Neil, a mechanic in this part of the world ( Kilada, Greece ) has pointed out that if the 29mm still leaks I should try a particular SKF seal which ( in Europe) is only available from SKF in Scotland and which has twin seals, the idea being that each of
the two seals will sit just to the side of the groove. I will try that if the leak continues before fitting the new shaft which we have on board.
On a separate note, Neil built his own steel 42 ft boat 20 years ago. He tried to sell pre-Covid. During lockdown he had about 3 hits a day to his very detailed website. On 17th July the UK allowed flights to Greece. The hits on his website immediately went
to 600 ( that's not a typo ! ) per day and he sold for the asking price, sight unseen to a guy who is now thrilled with it.
It seems that Covid might be doing wonders for boat sales.
Ian and Judy, Pen Azen, SM 302, Kilada ( waiting to launch, but they are predicting gusts of 50+ for Friday night so....)
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ianjenkins1946 <ianjudyjenkins@hotmail.com>
Hi all,
Our bow thruster was gently losing oil. Though we rarely use it, as we like to anchor everywhere, it is 20 years old and I suspect that there is a shallow groove where the seal sits on the shaft. I have now switched from a 30mm inside diameter to a 29mm so
this may do the trick.
Neil, a mechanic in this part of the world ( Kilada, Greece ) has pointed out that if the 29mm still leaks I should try a particular SKF seal which ( in Europe) is only available from SKF in Scotland and which has twin seals, the idea being that each of
the two seals will sit just to the side of the groove. I will try that if the leak continues before fitting the new shaft which we have on board.
On a separate note, Neil built his own steel 42 ft boat 20 years ago. He tried to sell pre-Covid. During lockdown he had about 3 hits a day to his very detailed website. On 17th July the UK allowed flights to Greece. The hits on his website immediately went
to 600 ( that's not a typo ! ) per day and he sold for the asking price, sight unseen to a guy who is now thrilled with it.
It seems that Covid might be doing wonders for boat sales.
Ian and Judy, Pen Azen, SM 302, Kilada ( waiting to launch, but they are predicting gusts of 50+ for Friday night so....)
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Ken Powers SV Aquarius
Hello Ian and Judy,
I rebuilt my bow thruster twice. The first time was in Trinidad, and the second time was in New Zealand 18 months ago. I made a video about the bow thruster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-xWzNfnWLw The previous owner of Aquarius had left a spare shaft from Amel on the the boat, so in New Zealand I replaced the shaft and the seal. Just replacing the seal with a smaller diameter inner measurement will probably not give you the proper fit. I would have the shaft machined down to the point it's smooth and get the proper sized seal for the final measurement after the shaft is completely smooth. I replaced mine, but one of these days I will have the old shaft machined and purchase some properly sized seals so that I have a spare shaft. After seeing what happened to JP's boat, completely rebuilding his bow thruster in New Zealand as well. I decided to purchase the entire gear, shaft and bearing set from Maud. I now have this as a spare on Aquarius. Thus, I can rebuild the bottom end of the bow thruster in an afternoon with the parts on Aquarius. No machine shop required. Paul also did a rebuild video of the bow thruster bottom end. https://youtu.be/6zRPHvzMvtg And he had the kit from Maud which he shows in the video. And he did his at anchor. After I replaced the shaft in New Zealand, I have had no leakage. I am now on the hard in Thailand, and everything still looks great after 18 months and going from New Zealand to Thailand. All the best, Ken Powers Aquarius SM2K #262 On the hard in Krabi Boat Lagoon
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ianjenkins1946 <ianjudyjenkins@hotmail.com>
Hi Ken,,
Thanks for the tips. Thanks also for the video which is really helpful. We do have the rebuild kit on board in case we have to fit it.
Vamos a ver.
Ian and Judy, Pen Azen, SM 302, Kilada ( launching tomorrow, winds permitting )
From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> on behalf of Ken Powers SV Aquarius <ken@...>
Sent: 17 September 2020 06:25 To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Bow thruster seal for SM Hello Ian and Judy,
I rebuilt my bow thruster twice. The first time was in Trinidad, and the second time was in New Zealand 18 months ago. I made a video about the bow thruster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-xWzNfnWLw The previous owner of Aquarius had left a spare shaft from Amel on the the boat, so in New Zealand I replaced the shaft and the seal. Just replacing the seal with a smaller diameter inner measurement will probably not give you the proper fit. I would have the shaft machined down to the point it's smooth and get the proper sized seal for the final measurement after the shaft is completely smooth. I replaced mine, but one of these days I will have the old shaft machined and purchase some properly sized seals so that I have a spare shaft. After seeing what happened to JP's boat, completely rebuilding his bow thruster in New Zealand as well. I decided to purchase the entire gear, shaft and bearing set from Maud. I now have this as a spare on Aquarius. Thus, I can rebuild the bottom end of the bow thruster in an afternoon with the parts on Aquarius. No machine shop required. Paul also did a rebuild video of the bow thruster bottom end. https://youtu.be/6zRPHvzMvtg And he had the kit from Maud which he shows in the video. And he did his at anchor. After I replaced the shaft in New Zealand, I have had no leakage. I am now on the hard in Thailand, and everything still looks great after 18 months and going from New Zealand to Thailand. All the best, Ken Powers Aquarius SM2K #262 On the hard in Krabi Boat Lagoon
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