BOAT YARD LIFE: The BIGGEST upgrade yet?

Bit of a huge one this week, as we get tackle three huge under the waterline projects. We're talking, a new (and less greasy) dripless shaft seal, replacement cutlass bearing and....remember that spinning sound from our prop? Well...after this upgrade, you won't be hearing that any longer- we got a new folding prop!!
Velos Insurance: velosinsurance.co.uk/?...
Bruntons Propellers: bruntonspropellers.com/
Lasdrop Shaft Seals: lasdrop.com/
The yard we are currently in (one of the safest in the Caribbean)
www.varaderoaruba.com/
〰️〰️〰️〰️
Episode 84 I Chapter 3: Lets head to the Tropics [Caribbean]
〰️〰️〰️〰️
👪 Join the Tribe on our Patreon / teulutribe
👕Pick up some Merch www.teulutribe.com/
📷 Find us over on Instagram / teulutribe
💬 Connect with us on Facebook / teulutribe
🛠️ Teulu’s always trying to break herself, our Amazon Wishlist is here www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
☕ Treat us to a Cup of Tea www.buymeacoffee.com/teulutribe
📧 Business Enquires [e-mail]
☑️ Subscribe for a new video every Monday
About Our Boat
- Name pronunciation (Tay-Lee), its Welsh, feel free to call her Too-Loo/Te-a-lu/Teaugukug/Tulu
- 1987 Colvic Victor Ketch
- 40ft/12m
- Two Cabins
- Encapsulated Keel and Skeg-Hung Rudder
- 13 Tonnes
About Us
We are Becka and Zach, a couple who, in 2020, dreamt of sailing off into the big blue. Trouble is- we were in a pandemic, had a university degree to finish, on a student budget, only had ever sailed dingies, oh and didn’t have a boat. The dream seemed not only unrealistic but pretty insane.
However, we worked hard, finished our degrees, worked as many hours as physically possible, saved with all our might, got experience and in March 2022 bought our very own sailboat, Teulu. Having little sailing experience and being a young couple, we have encountered a tonne of hurdles and made plenty of mistakes! but for every downfall, there has always been a reason to dust ourselves off and carry on.
We hope you can join us as we sail around the world and keep #bloodydoingit
Timestamps
00:23 Exciting projects ahead
02:58 Off comes the old prop
03:47 This grease sucks
11:48 New dripless shaft seal
16:36 Cutlass bearing replacement
18:19 Shiny new folding prop!
#sailing #boatlife

[@TeuluTribe]

Hope you enjoyed these shiny new upgrades to Teulu. We absolutely cannot wait for our next passage to really test them out. What's one thing on your boat that you upgraded and now couldn't live without?

[@Jensen_Denmark]

I just need a boat

[@toby232]

Just getting started on my project boat in Devon

[@TheAtma50]

Paddles ... Mine is a canoe!😂

[@danielclark8094]

👌🤙🤛🙏

[@Jensen_Denmark]

🤣@@TheAtma50

[@tedgalperalper1828]

Your enthusiasm for your new equipment is contagious. At 81 years of age I have never met a woman who would be enthusiastic about a new prop. In addition, your willingness to pitch in mechanically is also fantastic. Fantastic. I wish you good luck with your new stuff.

[@svvoyager]

As a safety place a hose clamp round the shaft just in front of the seal where you marked the shaft. This is a standard practice on PYI dripless seals. If that seal ever slips forward it can sink the boat. Cheap Easy peace of mind!

[@TeuluTribe]

Good tip! Cheers 😊

[@clark7117]

In my opinion, a hose clamp placed directly over a metal shaft can slip and damage the surface due to the lack of friction, velocity of the shaft, and vibrations. Instead, first place a reinforced hose, such as a radiator hose, cut to fit over the shaft. Then, secure your hose clamp over the reinforced hose. This added layer increases friction, providing resistance and protection, ensuring a more secure grip and preventing damage to the shaft. The reinforced hose distributes the clamping force evenly, reducing the risk of slippage and surface abrasion, thereby maintaining the integrity of the shaft and clamp over time.

[@ronaldbishop384]

The physics behind the design of that prop are a delight. Good choice.

[@davidh3194]

That prop! A British engineering thing of beauty. Congratulations on a very well made video. Cheers!

[@stevecrombie5357]

Several new videos available this morning. Who's first? Teulu of course!! Well done on the new shaft seal. The look on your faces as you did the new prop.......priceless. You're happy, I'm happy for you. I really love your channel. Thank you so much for sharing. Stay safe. ❤🙏

[@TeuluTribe]

Cheers Steve! It’s funny what makes us happy now we live on a boat 😅 That means a lot🙏 Thanks 😊

[@RoyClare]

High Five, team. Impressive skills. One suggestion … fit a “Prop-Protector”. Belt and braces in the event of snagging a rope. I’ve fitted one on all the boats I’ve ever owned. And I’ve often been grateful for it. Prop-Protector is a proprietary brand name, the product is made in UK. It’s a razor sharp stainless steel disc that clamps around the shaft, just forward of the propellor. It is designed to cut rope that tangles round your prop while motoring. It’s most easily fitted before you splash, but it can be fitted underwater (it comes in two halves, with Allen-key screws). You’d need to shift the zinc anode … put the zinc just forward of the P-bracket. 🎉😊

[@dannysimons100]

teamwork = dreamwork. Watching you two work together is really lovely. Props to both of you.

[@kaskl5403]

Prop speed coating would protect the blade.

[@drsille6476]

You guys are awesome and making my younger life return 🎉❤😂

[@russbetts1467]

Hi Becka and Zach. As a retired engineer, I know all about thinking of a time and then trebling it, to calculate the time the job will take. Even then, you can be way wide of the mark, as you discovered. Getting shafts out of anything is always beset with problems... and cuts and bruises to go with them. Great job though and brilliant to see all the people who helped you along the way. Looking forward to next week's episode, to see what you've got lined up for us there. Fair winds. Russ. UK.

[@TeuluTribe]

Cheers Russ, I had no idea it would be so challenging and I wasn't expecting to have to angle grind bits off! See you then😊

[@janach1305]

That a propeller is a work of art.

[@TheAtma50]

Great job guys, Zach has turned into a real maritime MacGyver, and Beckas descriptive prose is hilarious! Your numbers are doing incredibly well, before long you'll be challenging Le Vagabond for top spot ... You heard it here first !! Stay Safe & Fair Winds!! ☘

[@pixiniarts]

Props to you both on installing everything... I couldn't resist.😅 Great video, loving the boat work episodes! All the best to you both! 🙏

[@gerritvisser]

Awesome upgrade. My leaky stern tube ensured the bilge was never dry :-) I recommend adding another anode on the hull side of the skeg to prevent shaft from coming out as well. Unlikely but cheap insurance.

[@TeuluTribe]

Good idea, thanks 🙏

[@brownnoise357]

Good mention of that Anode, plus to make them last a lot longer and maybe I definitely as they aren't cheap. Worth trying painting them with 97% Zinc Cold Galvarising Paint? It's an antifoul with Anode properties that lots of USA Fishing Boats have successfully used on their propellers for years, and the Cheap Land version is identical to the very expensive Marine ones. Here in the UK, a 1 Kilo tin of the 97% is about £25 including delivery and 20% VAT. I'm thinking about using it for painting the hull below the waterline, with 3 coats, as an experiment to see how well it works tbh. Though as I should be hauling out after a year, two Coats could provide all the data I need. I mean that is one seriously big Anode. Any ex use to test stuff, that's me lol. Best Wishes. Bob in Wales. 👍⛵️✨️✨️✨️❤️

[@silverfoxes65]

When I was in the mechanical shaft seal business we were strongly advised to not touch the mating surfaces of the seal. Hopefully it won't make any difference for your install, but for others watching, beware. Nice job, looks great.

[@TeuluTribe]

I’ll give it a once over before we go back in the water, thanks for the advice 🙏

[@sailingliberator3395]

Gorgeous prop👌 me want one !! we hauled out and replaced Cutlass and top paint.!! Working on ur boat is so special. Good times. I'm currently replacing head sink and countertop.. ur videos are helpful and informative for new sailors. I appreciate it brother bear and sister squirrel

[@johnharris2337]

Love you kids and your grease monkey excitement with your new kit, never thought I’d say being well shafted is a good thing. Get the grease removal cream to give you a ‘sub for a plug’, same with all your boat work condiments.. tools. x

[@TeuluTribe]

We love new bits of boat hardware, can’t wait to properly test them out soon! 😊

[@nigeldewallens1115]

Oh! That looks stunning! I can well imagine how the drag would have slowed you down! Good luck with all your future adventures! 😊😉👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@TeuluTribe]

It should add half a knot or so to our speed 😊

[@brownnoise357]

Lovely Props Bruntons. Must admit I’m likely to try aFlexofold Prop First just because- Testing - yep I’m a Testing addict. 🤣Bob. It’ll beVery interesting to see how you get on with your new dripless shaft Seal. Early on they were not reliable, but a very different story today as they have improved massively. Bob. 👍⛵️🌟🌟🌟❤️

[@cryptoatnight9233]

sitting here about to pull the trigger on the Lasdrop myself. Thank you!

[@danielboughton3624]

When something is stuck on a shaft like that, there is often a burr. If you file it down before jamming it up then you can get the bits off easily. You can use a green scouring sheet to get a nice finish, maybe with some diesel as lube. Also, wd40 is not a great penetrating fluid. I use mostly deep creep but not sure what is available where you are. Finished product looks sharp. Hope the seal works well. Replacing that bearing will help a lot with vibration and seal life expectancy.

[@rondegier158]

Well done job. Love you’re version of the sound the old prob made 😂

[@denislamadeleine1181]

That sure is a pretty prop you guys have there...shame it is gonna live under water and out of sight. I hope it works much better for you and it should last for many years.

[@stevegills2961]

Hi guys! Working my way through your videos. Just wanted to say, its hella impressive what maintenance you are able to do with the limited tooling you have with you. As a mechanic I'm seriously questioning the amount of tools I own now! haha. Safe travels!

[@reversingentropy]

All you needed was to pack the wax on the shaft stuffing box or if needed replace the waxed cord. This would compress the wax against the shaft and prevend water or grease from using out. The new one "looks better" but you destroyed an "forever" stuffing box with a dripless that is much weaker with many more parts and failure points on it. Nice prop thow, will be paying attention to see how you like it. Please be so kind as to report back if you fell more vibration while using the engine or if it's smooth. We are still undecided on fitting a folding prop or generate electricity from from the rotation. The whining from the gearbox is annoying but tolerable if you know youre charging the battery 😅 Fair winds

[@TeuluTribe]

We could have repacked the unit. However, all stuffing boxes still let in water and we really want our engine room as dry as possible to help stop moisture and corrosion on the engine. There is a reason all modern boats are now fitted with dripless shaft seals, when the technology first came out I wouldn’t have dreamed of putting on of these on Teulu. But they have been out for around 20 years now and we’ve never heard of a boat having significant issues with them. Thanks for the advice but provided you do the required servicing I don’t see how it is weaker (but that’s just my opinion). We will be doing an update video on the new prop once we get back in the water and sailing, I can’t wait to see how Teulu likes it 😊 Thanks for the comment.

[@reversingentropy]

​​@@TeuluTribe I see you point of view and i respect it. 😊 However I do not agree with it lol. It is true that from time to time you need to tighten the stuffing box because it starts to leak. We solve this issue by having a small pan underneath the shaft to collect any water and grease. A small shroud around the the shaft would prevent any grease flinging 😅. Heres hoping the dripless will be fine for a many many years. Nevertheless more information never hurts here is a video from former "captain q" where Randy talks to the builder of Shannon yatchs where they go over the possible dangers of the dripless system. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYDMkKmsd8qBadEsi=urOTUAAJtTBH8ih6 He has seen many failures on them and anecdotaly i have been on a boat that sunk on the marina because the dripless just came apart. Not trying to create fear so sorry if it comes across wrong in any way. Just want our sister ship to be safe. ❤

[@RonaldJHElzenga]

​​​​@@reversingentropy@TeuluTribe I saw the same video...and assume this is not about the old systems but also recent ones(?!). This is reason why I will stick to my grease system for now (besides the costs😅). With indeed a plastic sump underneath with an old t-shirt in it that I sometimes replace when it has become too dirty from leaking grease. So curious about the experience of Teula and crew..who will use it intensively.

[@fgansell]

You two are doing so well and doing it together it is awesome to follow, yes, love the new prop, completely understand your enthusiasm.

[@drsille6476]

Such a man crush. You now have my wife of 45 years. Always fun Always ready. It never gets old.❤❤❤❤❤

[@DYoung-vt8pq]

That prop is a thing of beauty. Congratulations on a job well done! Stay well ❤

[@TeuluTribe]

It sure it ❤️ Thanks 😊

[@russellneville7145]

Well done teulu crew. I'm looking forward to seeing how the upgrades work out for you both. You have both come so far with your new life style. Well done to the both of you. So super proud for you both. Keep up the good work. SV Kiwi Lady Opua Bay of islands New Zealand 👍🏿

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Great job guys, you are looking like old hands at this now… I have heard the Brunton prop can improve steerage when going astern. Be interesting to see how the prop wash is now. As for that shaft seal,that is a very nice bit of kit, just added to my wish list. It will be so good that your prop shaft won’t be spinning when sailing. Bow love the smutty double entendres. Andy UK

[@mwcrilly]

Y’all should put some boom mat sound insulation on the inside walls of the engine room to make motoring much quieter.

[@russbetts1467]

A tin of GUNK would have made cleaning all the grease out of the Bilge a lot easier. Pour it on; give it a good scrub to loosen the muck and the GUNK Emulsifies the grease, so you can wash it off. Spent many years using it on various motor bikes and cars.

[@TeuluTribe]

Thanks for the info, I'll look into it!

[@shrimpersailing2306]

Loving the boatyard work guys! Great effort and you are doing a fantastic job! 👍😊⚓️🐶 Best wishes, Michael and Bosun

[@jonathanscott550]

Great job and great you have a few jobs checked off your to do list.The new propeller looks absolutely wicked.Catch your next video next week

[@TeuluTribe]

Cheers Jonathan! See you then 😊

[@deerfootnz]

I see many Brunton prop owners having problems with losing blades, so check the blades regularly. My current boat has a maxprop, but I like the flexofold props much more than anything else....

[@TeuluTribe]

We haven’t heard of this before, but thanks for the advice!

[@gilstewart4069]

bloody did it

[@TeuluTribe]

😁

[@PhilsProjects]

you could use a large flat blade screwdriver to help spread the coupler appart a little bit, just tap it in slightly. key word is slightly . it should help release the shaft next time. cheers

[@TeuluTribe]

Yeah that would have helped, thanks for the tip!

[@rogerdinnis3816]

Do you need to antifoul the new prop? It looks the business. Well done.

[@stevenplancich6449]

Whoopee…New Prop & Seal…Appears a lot of work, but probably worth it in long run👍 Boat Work/Repairs a part of Cruising Life…Seems the Both of you pretty knowable😜 Continue to Stay Safe and Enjoy 😎

[@TeuluTribe]

We are hoping it will be, cheers Steven!

[@NTF-fk8en]

That “copper insert” is the shaft key and it’s mild steel and sits in the keyway with a grub screw on top locking it in place. They never need to come out unless for shaft removal

[@caddan05]

Well done guys. Congrats on the new kit.

[@js7127]

Awesome job and know a little late now but can confirm what silver fox said about being bad idea to touch mating surfaces on the seal. Probably not a big deal if your hands were super clean but any kind of oil or grease will burn them out in short order. Very smart upgrades, she should be worry free in no time

[@TeuluTribe]

I’ll make sure to give it a once over before going back in the water, thanks for the advice! 😊

[@p.d.smithjr.3277]

Take the time to refurbish the old prop.. It will get you home if the new one gets damaged!

[@TeuluTribe]

We will be keeping it for just that occasion!

[@Mike9001000]

Another great episode guys, and nice to see the new upgrades. Hopefully you will reap the benefits once back in the water. Just wondering if you had considered fitting a rope cutter to the prop shaft, as additional safety?

[@TeuluTribe]

Cheers Mike! We have considered it but as the prop now folds it should be a lot less likely to get rope caught around it 🤞

[@seantiz]

Most outstanding. So rewarding and it’s not even my boat!

[@TeuluTribe]

Haha thanks 🙏

[@richrowley8355]

Looks awesome. Well done

[@dougwilson1769]

Brilliant video.

[@rldukes5729]

Well done guys. All important to long term boat health and your safety. Looking forward to your future plans and experiences...

[@paulpaul9914]

The new prop & shaft seal look super. At 26:41 we can see the the torque wrench was made in Taiwan & has Foot Pounds & Kilogramme Metres so they didn't unexpectedly mix imperial & metric . The Kilogramme Metres measure is unusual though, I've never seen that before on a torque wrench, multiply by 9.81 to get Newton Metres.

[@yachticus]

dont forget the Prop speed on your new prop

[@SailingRagdoll]

Wooooo!!!! Delighted to see the new prop, what a fab upgrade - that will make a difference. We noticed a 0.8kt - 1kt difference when we got a new prop on our old boaty. Great episode ( and a fantastic job!!) and can't wait to see you back sailing soon!

[@seanhanlon5867]

nice job Teulu 👏👊

[@TeuluTribe]

Cheers 😁

[@alibong71]

Bronze fittings are for life and are serviceable. The best and historically proven.

[@threedprintedmarinetechnol3330]

"Zack is having fun with it poking it in and out" 😆

[@danlindberg4849]

Thanks!

[@muddgeeser]

Hard work pays off, i hope

[@kennisjarvis8105]

You guys are amazing!

[@TeuluTribe]

Cheers Ken 😊

[@svjuno]

This was the double entendre episode 😂 can’t believe I’m the only one to mention it.

[@patrickabas1112]

Add Propspeed coating to the prop before you go back in

[@TeuluTribe]

We’ll see if we can find some!

[@stuartmould6363]

Brilliant job guys, the new propeller looks amazing 👍👍⛵️⛵️

[@TeuluTribe]

Thank you Stuart! Coming from you that means a lot to Teulu 😊

[@stuartmould6363]

@@TeuluTribe I’ve sent an email please confirm you have received it? 👍

[@Nitronomis]

Zach, closing comment ‘properly’ try it out! Brilliant. 😂

[@user-fk5hw1or7z]

Great job guys looks fantastic, one small pointer, I always put the shaft anode just in front of the P bracket, it then acts as a stop so you could never lose the shaft out the boat should something go wrong with your shaft to gearbox coupling

[@lbe1309]

by the time you go sailing again, you will have a nearly new boat ... 😊 ... great work guys

[@josephsage3524]

Great video, always love the content.

[@HellyWelly93]

Great teamwork!

[@DominicNSX]

Switch to electric propulsion and the propeller would generate electricity for you!

[@donaldbrown9437]

Great job! I am sure it will make your travel even better!

[@TheStephanPeters]

Good jobs!

[@steveking6204]

Nice!

[@TeuluTribe]

Thanks!

[@NTF-fk8en]

Agree with others here, don’t touch the faces of the seal and I cringed when you were smacking the stainless into the carbon. I’ve installed hundreds of these in the mining game on pumps. Get some spares too. When working well they seal perfectly but when they let go they will leak worse than you’ve ever seen. I also would’ve installed the prop before the seal. Those seals don’t like shock loading when hammering things onto the prop shaft.

[@paulpaul9914]

Doesn't say any of that in the instructions. They didn't hammer the prop shaft while doing the p bracket bearing & prop, in theory axial impacts to the prop shaft should not have any effect on any part of the seal assembly especially as the rotating part that's fixed to the prop shaft has spring loaded sliding contact where it meets the stationary seal assembly.

[@jonvenner6319]

Hey Zac. Great vid, little tip at 3.11 you're using your pump pliers back to front 🤫 Sorry, its the tool geek in me....

[@TeuluTribe]

Good spot 😅

[@thomascallaghan5988]

Great video

[@robinjansen2349]

A quick word about your sponsor. I was hoping you found a company willing to insure the less wealthy boater;

[@shrimpersailing2306]

Velos are able to insure boats that are lower than £250k (such as Teulu for example) as underwriters look at yachts on a case by case basis including cruising plans, type of vessel, age of rig, experience, recency of survey etc - it is indeed harder placing cover for the lower value / older yachts for Bluewater cruising, with U.K. and Europe cruising being much more straightforward to arrange. Vessels valued under £250k can potentially be an issue for Insurers if they are based in the Caribbean permanently all year round. However, if they are cruising ie not in the Caribbean permanently, then provided the underwriter is happy with the above information provided, cover can be arranged without value being an issue. Hope that clarifies the position and is helpful.

[@petegraham1458]

My advice is invest in a seal rebuild kit if available or a complete replacement seal so you have it if needed. Finding parts or replacements can be difficult while adventure cruising . Your going to like your folding prop it will make quite difference in the boat performance. Too late now but I sailed a boat for a while that had an alternator on a belt system that used the spun prop while sailing to top up the batteries. It actually worked quite well but obviously slowed us down .

[@TeuluTribe]

Thanks for the advice, hooking an alternator to our prop did cross our minds a few times. Thankfully we have plenty of solar power!

[@danielclark8094]

I'm sure the prop will increase the speed?

[@donaldbaumgartner9621]

For future reference, whacking on the prop shaft to separate it from the transmission coupler, doesn't help the health of the transmission. Better to uncouple the flange from the transmission and use a prop puller to separate the shaft from the flange.

[@TeuluTribe]

We wouldn’t have done this but we couldn’t get it out of the coupler…a prop puller would have been better!

[@bravofighter]

Nice work. The shaft jokes write themselves…😂🎉

[@mattmeiners985]

Love your show...

[@muddgeeser]

See how smart you guys are. thanks to the poat

[@ticdelarue]

When operating a torque wrench, it is customary to say audibly, "click" when the wrench clicks.

[@paulchalkley-wt7jg]

Did you think about a line cutter on the shaft behind the prop?

[@panagiotismpoulieris5649]

good work ! gz

[@9oh7]

Project dry bilge🎉

[@drewbale]

Quick question why did you not install a rope cutter at the same time

[@TeuluTribe]

With the folding prop rope should get caught as easily anyway 😊

[@voxpopuli4301]

That first torque wrench was about 60 years old people🤣🤣.

[@TeuluTribe]

60 years old but still as good as it ever was 😁

[@SVSomeday]

"Lock it in Tight"

[@TeuluTribe]

😅

[@RonaldJHElzenga]

Vey nice DIY jobs🎉...propellor looks great❤..wish one sometimes in the future😊...and still stuck to my good old grease pump😅. My best upgrades for now are interior orientated..redesigned both back cabin (now salon and secondary 2 persons berth) and former main salon (now my (2p) berth and secondary raised salon and work-station). Now first moving to other marina..winter time preparations..cover parts of leaking teak deck..lot's of teak deck..start work on that😅..stil not decided to repair or remove. Bravely forward and sail by the wind of today (or at least try).🎉❤

[@TeuluTribe]

Thanks Ronald, sounds like you’ve been busy! Teak always needs some love.

[@Baspastoorsify]

Zack having his zoolander shot covered ! great episode!

[@glenn65]

Boat jewelry 👏👍

[@briancochran8356]

Going to put on something like Prop SPeed to keep growth of the prop?

[@alibong71]

Can't believe you butchered a stern gland that would outlive the boat if you'd learned about it.

[@SBoots29]

Great job the both of you. Of course all the colorful sailor language was cut out with the removal of the shaft for You tube standards. That's ok, I said it for you. LOL

[@seawench555]

Yippee, Teulu is grinning big time.😁👍🌈🐨

[@TeuluTribe]

Haha thanks ☺️

[@seawench555]

@@TeuluTribe ur both very welcome, absolutely loving ur content and ur honesty

[@doptimist]

How do you open and close the folding prop or does it do that itself in certain situations?

[@Mike9001000]

Once the shaft is in gear and starts spinning, centrifugal force pushes the blades out.

[@codegame027]

Are you going to do line cutters?

[@TeuluTribe]

Not this time around 😊

[@andyherbert1267]

Its ok its just a packing gland, just needs new packing which is very cheap, no need to take everything apart , they are used by all the fishing boats and last for years|

[@TeuluTribe]

We just wanted something that didn’t drip at all 😊

[@narr0wm1nd49]

Where is the rope cutter?

[@Peter-wc4kr]

The propeller is too good to use.

[@muddgeeser]

Joseph of Aramasea and family were set out. no sails ropes paddles food. they went to Wales to live