40 sedan bridge forum

My Diver Steve came to the boat on Sunday to take a look at the shaft seal, He did the following: remove existing seal (o-ring) cleaned and put it back, the same one, 2) then he pulls the entire shaft dripples forward between 1/8" to 1/4" and told me to test it and watch for leaking, if still leaks he would replace the seal and slide back the spare seal.
So I will try it next week Thanksgiving weekend. At the next haulout, I will replace the entire with the new one Tides Strong Seal like the starboard side.
 
Can you explain the installation tool left inside the new seal? You would think that after installing several hundred thousand Tides seals, they know to remove and discard the "Red Hat".

The fact remains that it is very doubtful that the seal in the carrier isn't stretched so much that it won't leak.

I'm confused by what you're seeing, Frank. The red tool isn't inside the replacement seal, it's on the outside of it...where it should be. Also, that red tool has a slit in it. You can easily remove it off the shaft. The slit is on the flat edge (furthest from the camera). Lastly, I don't actually see the carrier. It looks like that was removed. All I see in that picture is the actual replacement seal on the shaft. The carrier that camps around it is missing.
 
Here you can see mine. You can easily see the slit. My tool is also behind the carrier which houses the replacement seal. In the picture above, it looks like there is no carrier. Someone must have taken it off for some reason, leaving the actual seal exposed.

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I'm confused by what you're seeing, Frank. The red tool isn't inside the replacement seal, it's on the outside of it...where it should be. Also, that red tool has a slit in it. You can easily remove it off the shaft. The slit is on the flat edge (furthest from the camera). Lastly, I don't actually see the carrier. It looks like that was removed. All I see in that picture is the actual replacement seal on the shaft. The carrier that camps around it is missing.
Look closer, John. There is red between the seal and the shaft.

Good luck, Fernando. I tried all those same maneuvers. Our boats get used all year round. John's boat sits on the hard 6-7 months out of the year. That may make a difference in longevity of the seals.
 
I am new to this dripless stuff but I see what Frank is concerned about and based on my life experience, he's gonna be right. That seal will be stretched over time and won't seal against the shaft.

That said, is the line between the two shafts just a backup or is it for a pressure equilibration? Also these pictures have what appear to be plugs attached. What is the point of those plugs?
 
Ah-ha, Bill. I see it now. OK, now Frank's comment makes sense to me, and i agree, I wouldn't trust that spare seal either.

Andy, the line between the shafts is a backup. 2 seasons ago, had the original set up with only one line to the shaft seal. The line got clogged somehow and I lost the cooling water that goes to the seal. Not knowing this, we went on a trip and when I got back to the dock, I saw the bilge pump going off every 45 seconds. That's not good. Looking the bilge, I saw water pouring out of the shaft seal. I burned it up pretty good.

I replaced the whole assembly with the one you see in the picture... a dual hose set up. Now, I also check the flow from the hoses a few times a year to make sure I have proper water flow. THat's where the plugs come in handy. If you have a clog in the line, you can put the plug in while you repair the clog.
 
Since I am not near my new 2000 400 Sedan Bridge - could someone who has access to their boat measure two things for me?
I will be renaming her in the spring but I want to play with the name fonts and styles but I need these measurements to make sure I do not exceed the available room with the design.
  1. The width of the trunk door in the transom.
  2. The width of the entire flat portion on the stern of the transom that includes the door.
Thanks!

Steve
 
Since I am not near my new 2000 400 Sedan Bridge - could someone who has access to their boat measure two things for me?
I will be renaming her in the spring but I want to play with the name fonts and styles but I need these measurements to make sure I do not exceed the available room with the design.
  1. The width of the trunk door in the transom.
  2. The width of the entire flat portion on the stern of the transom that includes the door.
Thanks!

Steve
49” and 66”
 
Here you can see mine. You can easily see the slit. My tool is also behind the carrier which houses the replacement seal. In the picture above, it looks like there is no carrier. Someone must have taken it off for some reason, leaving the actual seal exposed.

View attachment 51864
John, thank you for posting the picture, now I see what Frank was saying, the previous owner put the red seal inside the seal stretching the seal, in your picture is outside, like it supposes to be. Mine is a weird installation. I saw also in the picture some scratch marks on the shaft( if you look closer at the picture) looks like at some point they use a tool to stop the shaft to move ( like a heavy Duty Pipe Wrench).
 
There is a new seal in a seal carrier just up the shaft. Unfortunately, whoever installed the spare seal, installed the red plastic installation tool inside the new seal in the carrier. My guess is that the new seal is permanently stretched and will leak like a sieve if it is installed now.

The red tool is included with the new seals to allow you to put it on the shaft inside the new seal for installation over the keyway in the shaft in order to prevent cutting the new lip seal on a burr in the keyway on the shaft as the new seal is installed on the end of the shaft. Once the seal is positioned and the hose clamps tightened, the red tool is removed and discarded. There is no need to use the installation tool on a replacement seal from a seal carrier like the one in the photo. The seal carrier is removed, the seal is slid down the shaft into position, the seal carrier is reinstalled at the seal, t hen the seal carrier is used as a driver to install the new lip seal.
Frank
After John (cwiert) posts his picture with a new seal, now I understand what you are saying about the red tool stretching the seal, that was a good comment, I didn't notice it. thanks.
 
Hi, Bill
do you have the Tides Seal Part Number?
Looks like is time to replace mine.

I can answer for Bill. As Bill mentioned, you currently have the older Strong Seal. Last year when I repleced my Strong Seal with the newer Sure Seal (which is what I have pictured above), I was offered to participate in the exchnage program. They gave a credit if I returned the old Strong seal (basically, they didn't want their old seals making their way into any more boats). So that's what I did. I would ask about that exhange program if I were you. The credit was significant, if I remember correctly.

Anyway, the Item # for the newer Sure Seal is FSK-1750-3500-1. There's a few items you need to get, the carrier, the seal (Item # LIP SEAL 1750), hose clamps, the spring. But the people there are very helpful. You can call Tides Marine (who makes these seals) at 800-420-0949 and they'll get you everything you need.
 
While some of us think about winter projects I thought I would post some upgrades from this past year. Here are some pics. Some upgrades courtesy of Hurricane Matthew and always a big thanks to Bill for all his help.

Painted with Awlcraft, was not sure if I wanted to paint or not but after a year and no buffing she is still shinny. While having mine done there was one in the boat yard with 10yr old paint and still new. I don't believe I want another boat without paint. Also new bottom paint.


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While I had no slip fee and on the hard for repairs. I convinced myself I was saving money. My upholstery would have made it a few more years but I got a good deal and had it done, I added some color so it didn't look so dated. New Flag, if you take a knee by this one I hope your saying a prayer and thanking the men and women who fought for it! God bless the USA!

New teak table, I hated the stock table I could never get in and out well or open the isinglass. I got this one from our site sponsor looks great folds up to slide in and out and I can get to the isnglass to open it up easy.

Then I got a new A128 then my OCD bother me because the old instruments didn't match so I changed out the auto pilot and depth. (I will post the old auto pilot head for sales soon if anyone needs one was working fine)

Somethings not pictured new Fusion 750, isnglass, cockpit cover and sat tv.

Plans for this year- adding a Ray70 with AIS, and another RM E7 MFD in the space below the other. (RM has a refubusih sale) I am so addicted to electronic gadgets. I may need an intervention. Led lighting on the way, going to add some outlets per the admiral after seeing Bills.


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While some of us think about winter projects I thought I would post some upgrades from this past year. Here are some pics. Some upgrades courtesy of Hurricane Matthew and always a big thanks to Bill for all his help.

Painted with Awlcraft, was not sure if I wanted to paint or not but after a year and no buffing she is still shinny. While having my done there was one in the boat yard with 10yr old paint and still new. I don't believe I want another boat without paint. Also new bottom paint.


View attachment 51918 View attachment 51919

While I had no slip fee and on the hard for repairs. I convinced myself I was saving money. My upholstery would have made it a few more years but I got a good deal and had it done, I added some color so it didn't look so dated. New Flag, if you take a knee by this one I hope your saying a prayer and thanking the men and women who fought for it! God bless the USA!

New teak table, I hated the stock table I could never get in and out well or open the isinglass. I got this one from our site sponsor looks great folds up to slide in and out and I can get to the isnglass to open it up easy.

Then I got a new A128 then my OCD bother me because the old instruments didn't match so I changed out the auto pilot and depth. (I will post the old auto pilot head for sales soon if anyone needs one was working fine)

Somethings not pictured new Fusion 750, isnglass, cockpit cover and sat tv.

Plans for this year- adding a Ray70 with AIS, and another RM E7 MFD in the space below the other. (RM has a refubusih sale) I am so addicted to electronic gadgets. I may need an intervention. Led lighting on the way, going to add some outlets per the admiral after seeing Bills.


View attachment 51920
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Great upgrades! My new to me 400 goes into the paint booth next month and I hope it turns out as nice as yours.

Do you happen to know the size of the table you ordered? I would like to get ride of the monster that came with the boat.
 
While some of us think about winter projects I thought I would post some upgrades from this past year. Here are some pics. Some upgrades courtesy of Hurricane Matthew and always a big thanks to Bill for all his help.

Painted with Awlcraft, was not sure if I wanted to paint or not but after a year and no buffing she is still shinny. While having my done there was one in the boat yard with 10yr old paint and still new. I don't believe I want another boat without paint. Also new bottom paint.


View attachment 51918 View attachment 51919

While I had no slip fee and on the hard for repairs. I convinced myself I was saving money. My upholstery would have made it a few more years but I got a good deal and had it done, I added some color so it didn't look so dated. New Flag, if you take a knee by this one I hope your saying a prayer and thanking the men and women who fought for it! God bless the USA!

New teak table, I hated the stock table I could never get in and out well or open the isinglass. I got this one from our site sponsor looks great folds up to slide in and out and I can get to the isnglass to open it up easy.

Then I got a new A128 then my OCD bother me because the old instruments didn't match so I changed out the auto pilot and depth. (I will post the old auto pilot head for sales soon if anyone needs one was working fine)

Somethings not pictured new Fusion 750, isnglass, cockpit cover and sat tv.

Plans for this year- adding a Ray70 with AIS, and another RM E7 MFD in the space below the other. (RM has a refubusih sale) I am so addicted to electronic gadgets. I may need an intervention. Led lighting on the way, going to add some outlets per the admiral after seeing Bills.


View attachment 51920
View attachment 51921 View attachment 51922 View attachment 51923 View attachment 51924


Congrats on the upgrades! The teak table looks fantastic, much better than the stock one. May I bother you for the vendor and price for the table? I think that's one we need to have!

Thanks for your help!
 
Getting very popular. We put one on this year. So much more comfortable to sit around than the original. I’m also raising my seating by an inch. That will hopefully make the seating area more ergonomically comfortable too.
 

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