Stern tube drip in Seaforth

[Paul Stevens]

Recently the stern tube on my Seaforth has developed a worrying drip at the point where it enters the hull. The water collects in the hollow skeg . I had the same problem a couple of years ago and thought it had been permanently  fixed when out of the water. Its not the actual tube that seems to be the problem but the bolted section where it is secured to the outside of the hull. Just wondered if anyone else had this problem and what steps were taken to fix it ? Its impossible to get any decent access inside the boat as its in such a narrow cavity . I’m trying to avoid taking it out of the water if I can or at least postpone it until the end of the season fingers crossed !

[Chris Nixon]

Hi there. If as you’ve described, where the outer end of the tube is bolted to the hull the only way to do it is to take the boat out of the water, let it dry out, clean it all, then reseal it with CT1 sealant on the boat and behind the flange. If you put the bolts from the inside to the outside, it is easier to tighten the nuts up. Get as many long extension bars as you can and then someone can hold it on the inside while you tighten the outside. If you put plenty of CT1 round the bolts, that will help in the future.

Use lock nuts or double nuts on the outside.

Chris

Technical Officer

[Paul Stevens]

Thanks Chris that’s what I thought.

Ill keep an eye on it and if it gets to he stage where it is more than a drip. Ill take it out and fix it.

Its such a tight space and from how you describe I imagine its not that uncommon.

Ill post an update when its sorted

 

Thanks again

Paul

[Author]

Posts