Sundancer Yacht TAKING ON WATER has Leaking ....

Got a call that a yacht is taking on water and it appears both shaft seals are leaking. It was not safe to take the boat home which was an 11 hour trip. We scheduled an immediate haul-out to get the seals replaced at the same time we painted the bottom.
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So thru the years many of our clients have asked us how we "manage the chaos" of Our Boat Repair Businesses! Our videos are made up of projects we are currently work on! You may also see food and drinks sprinkled in since we LOVE to eat! 😁
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#boatrepair #yachtrepair #leaking #yacht #shafts

[@WillFixThat]

We'd love some ideas ..... the fuel hoses are original to this yacht which is a 2003! We have a very strong diesel smell ... does anyone think that the smell could be coming from all fuel hoses? Owner is getting very frustrated since he can't enjoy his yacht!

[@WillFixThat]

@@abcgang8048 yes we have done that and even ozone machines but fuel smell continues.

[@jimcooksey4150]

I'd definitely replace ALL of the fuel hoses if they are20 years old. Should also check fuel filter seals and replace rubber o ring seals, if needed. But you already know that.😅

[@WillFixThat]

@@jimcooksey4150 Matt was afraid someone would say that about the hoses as we all know that is a major job! This yacht has 5 fuel tanks.

[@brianhof7599]

I cannot believe the owner did not want you to buff the hull when it was out of the water.

[@WillFixThat]

Yeah it just wasn't a priority at this point! This was an unexpected cost to be hauled out so far from home and looks like its been neglected for a few years. But, that Blue could be beautiful! 😆

[@shawnl3151]

After spending $10k-12k he probably didn’t have a spare 2-3k. Boats not gonna sink with oxidized paint

[@WillFixThat]

@@shawnl3151 Your completely right!

[@captpepin]

I agree 100%, me and one person would do the hull on a 36 Tiara. in one day every year, it's not that big of a job. Even to just throw a quick coat of wax to not get worse. The oxidation is symbolic of deferred maintenance, no wonder the seals and fuel system leaks if they can't wax what you see every day what do you think the systems look like.

[@TheBeingReal]

That will never buff out and stay blue. That oxidation will be back.

[@brianrogers6059]

I prefer normal packing, dripless can fail and flood a boat. A few drops a minute with packing that evaporites before getting into bilge offsets the advantage of a dripless system. My last boat dripped two drops minute and the shaft seal was cool to the touch. You can google dripless seals that have had problems and see where I am coming from. Prefer a dry bilge, but wiping down around the shaft after a trip only takes a minute. In summary, packing glands do not fail, only drip more with age and is easily replaced.

[@WillFixThat]

There is a lot to be said for that. We routinely repack the “old style” in the water. Hardest part is usually getting the gland nuts loose and removed due to corrosion. Also getting the old seals out. I use a long handle wine corkscrew tool I’ve had for years. Don’t even remember where i got it from.

[@kevinhoffman8214]

I prefer a regular stuffing box , when they fail they rarely sink a boat

[@WillFixThat]

It maintaining your dripless you shouldn’t have a problem!

[@michaelrizzo5492]

I know of the dripless But more info is always good to have. Thanks

[@WillFixThat]

Great …. I’ll let Matt know!

[@aubreychadwickwhite8230]

I agree, that boat hull needed buffing.❤❤❤

[@WillFixThat]

Maybe even wet sanding 👍

[@oceanventure]

The one thing that makes me awfully nervous is when I see a boat on stands without a tension chain between them to avoid any possible kick out. Otherwise stay safe.

[@WillFixThat]

I’ll have to keep an eye out … normally they do have the chain. Thanks for sharing!

[@MrJenten10]

Fly by nights

[@paulgunter3624]

Hello. Great video. I have PYI PSS seals. They were good for about 2 years and now are problematic with leaks and sprays underway. The port side is really leaky as I speed up to cruise. This past week I tightend the port by a 1/2 inch so hope that fixes it. My plan is next haulout is to change the PYI to tides as PYI has quality issues and alot of marinas will no longer install them and opt for tides brand.

[@WillFixThat]

Hmm interesting…. We use both but have preferred PYI in the past! Thanks for sharing!

[@jimcooksey4150]

I have only had the drip type seal, on my 23 ft inboard. I can't talk intelligently about the dripless or any other type. I will say it was very easy to repack the drip type. Would love to see the different types of shaft seals.

[@WillFixThat]

Hey Jim in the coming videos Matt will record when he sees the different shaft seals....his favorites are the PYI PSS we have installed many! Matt thinks that they can last years longer. 😁

[@stephenscott963]

Would love to everything about both couplings please!! Keep up the great videos!

[@WillFixThat]

Please explain a little more 🥴

[@jimkeys7580]

That's a PSS seal which are better than lip seals, but Lasdrop Seals are the best since they are similar to PSS, but do not rely on a rubber accordian type hose to apply pressure to the two seal surfaces. Lasdrop uses springs built into the seal body to provide constant pressure between the two seal surfaces. The springs will last indefinately whereas the rubber accordian hoses harden with age.

[@WillFixThat]

Great points those are good deals too! Appreciate the feedback.

[@larrydemonte2218]

I had that boat,,blue hull it was the best party boat I’ve owned,,

[@WillFixThat]

Sounds like you had a great time with it!

[@roypoe1865]

You do good work my friend !

[@WillFixThat]

Thanks so much 🙏 appreciate your feedback! “We Try”

[@davep800]

PYI are anything but "dripless". I hate the things because they can get a little crum of material in the surfaces and they can sink your boat. Tides Marine are better until they loose their water supply at speed and the log melts and the boat takes on water anyway. I feel the most reliable, safest shaft logs are the old school bronze with flax packing. Plus the flax packing can be renewed without removing the shaft from the coupling. Ie, in the water. Try that with a Tides or PYI. You can't.

[@WillFixThat]

Great points thanks for sharing …. All dripless have their pros & cons!

[@rl8992]

Yea wish we had them, a video would be nice.

[@WillFixThat]

Wish you had what? So we can do a video?

[@rl8992]

@@WillFixThat the dripless, Would like your recommendation on what we should look for when we replace .

[@thetattooedladyfan]

I bought a 2001 Maxum 3500 in Fall 2021. Launched in Spring of 2022 and found water spraying from dripless seal. Seemed to be original PSS PYI that were fully compressed, so I had boat pulled out and new PSS seals installed. Shafts trued up, new cutlass bearings, props reconditioned, motor mounts tightened up, engine aligned. It has Merc engines with V-drives so the seals are buried in a tight space, so I have only pros deal with them. Port side has been dry ever since. Starboard side still spraying/dripping. Such a nuisance.

[@WillFixThat]

Could it be a shaft tracking issue? They make over bore carbon stators they may help!

[@thetattooedladyfan]

@@WillFixThat That’s my theory right now. Going to try to bias the bellows first to re-center the bushing on the shaft as close as possible. It’s just not a one-man job for me.

[@WillFixThat]

@@thetattooedladyfan let us know how it works out! 😀

[@kevinmccarey5015]

Hello to you, Great job you did

[@WillFixThat]

Hi Kevin 🙏 thank you!

[@paulkersey2179]

What were you putting on the threads to the elbow fitting?

[@WillFixThat]

Leak lock

[@robertengster5643]

Would love to have that boat if it's for sale, needs ton of love.

[@WillFixThat]

Don’t think it’s for sale …. Yes real love!

[@leemeinke4109]

Personally I like the pss system. Much more tolerant of alignment issues if installed correctly. Which unfortunately I rarely see done correctly. The water hose that injects cooling water needs to be supported otherwise over time it will result in the pss system not hitting the stainless collar completely square.

[@WillFixThat]

You are correct. I’ve seen that in the past. Support the water hose.

[@derjaeger3321]

I get the impression that boat has not had a lot of TLC.

[@WillFixThat]

Boat’s definitely require upkeep!

[@Legalreaper]

What model Sundancer is that?

[@WillFixThat]

I'm not sure I'll have to ask Matt.

[@MidwestMotor]

WOW! You own a massive, beautiful, expensive boat like that and don't even take care of it - if that were mine this thing would be getting a wax, polish, some type of ceramic coating, etc.!!! That's a sweet blue color that's completely faded, makes the boat look horrible.

[@WillFixThat]

I know … colored hulls can easy get neglected because they require work because you can see it more then a white hull!

[@DrEd-th2lu]

I only use PSS and once they are compressed I always replace the entire shaft seal and bellows.

[@WillFixThat]

Yeah if your going to haul the boat might as well repair & replace as needed is good practice!

[@6677dc]

Tides Marine. FYI. Be sure to install the replacement kit so should you ever need to RR the seal. you won't need to remove the coupling.

[@WillFixThat]

I put 2 to 3 spares on when doing Tides. I’d much rather get a call to just slide a new seal in place then haul out and start the running gear circus. Make sure the red hats are on the shaft for the next guy.

[@6677dc]

@@WillFixThat I had to replace one seal after about 10 years. Simple if you installed the spare on the shaft. Be sure to install a filter screen on the seawater supply to the coupling that lubricates the seal.

[@MrJenten10]

Shoemakers what do you expect

[@steventrostle1825]

YEP one thing for darn sure, boats break and there are no exceptions to that rule.

[@WillFixThat]

You’ve got that right! People don’t always realize that they are big money pits sadly!

[@paulthompson1216]

My coupling is now dripless. Thank you penicillin!

[@WillFixThat]

We are talking about a different kind of leak >>> LOL

[@joewilson6566]

Dripless is automatic sink

[@WillFixThat]

If you do not maintain or not installed correctly for sure

[@gregeconomeier1476]

When I see a boat with that much "deferred maintenance" .............. it's an accident waiting to happen. I prefer not to step on board.

[@WillFixThat]

Ugh sometimes you just try to help people that are in a rough position 🥴 thanks so much for sharing Greg.

[@Brian-mx2cr]

I work in yachting industry and some of these guys only fix stuff when it's a emergency. They don't have preventive maintenance in the vocabulary.

[@WillFixThat]

You’re exactly right Brian …. It’s a shame!

[@robertsteele5257]

Do you give 3-hour tours 😢

[@WillFixThat]

No sorry call Captain & Gilligan 😂

[@lepowell9095]

Yes i know

[@WillFixThat]

👍👍

[@msa5169]

I have no clue😮

[@WillFixThat]

Keep watching for more! 😀

[@pepperwatson7784]

Rubber seal and also ceramic

[@WillFixThat]

Commented on your other!

[@cartertanya1258]

I find pss seal is the best system available

[@WillFixThat]

Matt kind thinks that too… thanks for sharing!

[@albertschneider5978]

That’s one tired searay

[@WillFixThat]

Needs a little love!

[@pepperwatson7784]

It’s simply a rubber seal instead of packing

[@WillFixThat]

If it’s a tides marine seal, it is a rubber lip seal. If it’s a PSS PYI, it has a carbon stater and a stainless steel rotor.

[@timothymcguirk4633]

Where in Gods name are the keel blocks. Should be at least four sets probably five for that boat 🤔🤦‍♂️🤷🤨

[@WillFixThat]

Absolutely keel blocks! Thanks for looking out for us! 👍

[@y4s563]

Lack of maintenance .... I can fix that ...$$$$$$$

[@WillFixThat]

Exactly…. $$$ bust out the ten thousand 😅

[@Imwright720]

He calls it’s leaking water but it’s dry docked. Confused❓❓❓

[@WillFixThat]

It was leaking water that’s why it got hauled out!

[@1951RKP]

Looks like years of neglect. Shame people own nice boats and just let them deteriorate.

[@WillFixThat]

Yes it happens people don’t realize the maintenance that’s needed to own a boat!

[@carlstout4546]

don't know

[@WillFixThat]

It’s ok you’ll learn more here.

[@dirttdude]

untaxed unregulated diesel.... illegal AF

[@WillFixThat]

I'm sorry not sure what you are referring too? Please fill us in?

[@dirttdude]

@@WillFixThat the diesel shown has red dye in it, it's untaxed

[@WillFixThat]

@@dirttdude good catch … nothing to do with us!

[@dirttdude]

@@WillFixThat i didn't think you had anything to do with it

[@WillFixThat]

@@dirttdude 👍

[@robertbodell7221]

Wow, is that an employee or the boat owner applying the bottom pint? It is so toxic that anything that tries to attach itself dies. I am from Florida. even there nobody paints a boat bottom with short sleeves and pants legs. If he is an owner he is dumb, if he is an employee, the employer is dumb. I don't get the sitting cross-legged dabbing the roller Like he has all day, he is on the clock. Is he touching up around a cooling water inlet cover? That is what you keep a brush in your toller pan for. By the way, where is your roller pan? are you going to crawl out from under the boat to refill the roller each time? And then you got another guy on the clock telling him how to do it and not telling him not to let the paint drip on his skin requiring equally nasty stuff to get it off. At least have a change of long clothes for bottom jobs in the shop. Somebody should look into "TIME STUDY" they have big money people that go around factories figuring out how to shave off fractions of a second on each operation. You don't have to beat the employees or no lunch breaks, you need an efficient system where at the end of the day every job is the same, nobody busts ass and you get maximum output with minimal injuries and everybody is laughing and joking at the lunch table. At a young age I knew I needed to leave my abusive home so I started to prepare myself by figuring out how to make money. . I eventually worked everyday after school and Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. Among other things, I painted boat bottoms at the local boat yard. I took an old seat cushion out of the dumpster and cut off one strap then used a piece of canvas and stapled it to a piece of plywood and then screwed the strap to the plywood to carry it with. When you are under the keel working it is much less time and energy to move and if there are a couple stones under it you don't even have to get up to move over, just roll it. As a kid on the streets full time at the age of 12, I knew I had to compete with abuts. If I didn't work I didn't eat and I loved to eat. I didn't want to be hired at kid wages, I wanted adult wages so I needed to be better and faster and get more work done and if the customer was around I had to make him smile to get adult wages and be hired before an adult. I knew it had to be done right the first time so you don't waste time going back touching up. I was a little OCD or whatever you call it then and looking down the waterline and it not being straight really bugged me. Eventually they were perfect. My mother was making $1 an hr cleaning houses. Common wages was up to $4 dollars an hr for labor. My goal was $100 a week after school and weekends before I went to play with my friends. Awesome life. a boat anchored out to live on, a boat and motor for transportation cross the bay or 15 miles down the bay and up the river into tthe city and no adult supervision except the town cop LOL. He figured I was doing better than a lot of adults.

[@WillFixThat]

Thanks for sharing Robert! We are all adults so we treat them that way! Sounds like you started working young just like we did! Which I think helps us to appreciate money a bit more. 😄 Back in them days you could do much more as a youngster now days we are afraid of them walking to school!

[@robertbodell7221]

@@WillFixThat I didn't say treat them like children, I said to teach them to be safe and efficient for the betterment of all.

[@WillFixThat]

@@robertbodell7221 our motto is Safety First Always!

[@mikebradley4245]

yes i know of dripless seals for marine prop shafts

[@WillFixThat]

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