Nice Shaft

By Michael Argyelan

Get your head out of the gutter. We’re talking about prop shafts here. PSS (Packless Sealing System) Shaft Seals have been keeping bilges dry for years. If you are getting water into your bilge and/or engine compartment from your stuffing box and would like to keep things nice and dry, you should look into changing out your standard stuffing box to a drip-less shaft seal by PYI.

I’ve talked to so many boaters who complain about replacing the packing on their stuffing box, adjusting it every year, or having issues keeping the bilge dry when they run the engine for a long time. The PSS system is the solution. No more adjusting. No more packing. No more water.

This is not a new product by any means. Many of our customers already have these installed and seem to love them. They’re on racing boats, day cruisers, power boats, commercial boats, etc. Why not yours?

From the manufacturer, “The PSS Shaft Seal is a mechanical face seal that is created between the flat surfaces of the rotating stainless steel rotor and the stationary carbon flange. The stationary carbon flange is attached to the vessels stern tube with hose clamps and the carbon flange is attached to the front side of the bellows with hose clamps. The stainless steel rotor is fit on the shaft in front of the carbon flange. The stainless steel rotor is used to compress the bellows before the collar is secured to the shaft with set-screws. This compression (pre-load) maintains contact between the faces and allows the PSS to compensate for the thrust from the propeller. The carbon flange is bored larger than the shaft diameter allowing it to “float” around the shaft and thus compensate for most misalignment and vibration problems. The stainless steel collar is sealed to the shaft by two o-rings that are recessed into the bore of the collar. These o-rings rotate with the shaft and stainless steel rotor and do not experience wear during operation.”

If you’re interested in the PSS Shaft Seal system, there are a few things to keep in mind. The unit must be installed with the boat out of the water. Depending on the shaft length and room between the transmission and the stern tube, you may need to pull the prop and/or drop the rudder to extend the shaft out far enough to get the unit in. To properly size and price a drip-less shaft seal you will need the diameter of the shaft and the diameter of the shaft tube.

These units will work on shafts from ¾” up to 6” so it’s likely that they will work on 90% of the pleasure boats in the Chicago area. There are some boats where there is not enough room for the PSS seal to fit, either lengthwise along the shaft or between the stern tube and the hull. Also, some shafts need the support of the packing to keep from whipping excessively. If you are interested in a drip-less shaft seal and you have any questions regarding the fit for your boat, contact us for a consultation.

Have questions? Want more information? Would you like a quote to have one installed over the winter lay-up season? Contact Andrew Spaulding at aks@crowleys.com and he will get the ball rolling. 

Mike Travis - Crowley's Ship's Store Assistant Manager, 20 Questions

How long have you worked at Crowley’s?

I started working at Crowley’s in the rigging department in the spring of 2009. Almost 5 years.

How did you first start working here?

Sailing has been a hobby of mine since I was 7 when my Dad purchased his first boat. After that, I spent a lot of time in boat yards and it was a natural transition to work in one!

Which departments have you worked in?

I started working part time in the rigging department and then as a full time employee in the store. Now I'm the Assistant Manager of the Ship's Store. 

What is your favorite time of year at Crowley’s? In the spring when everyone is energized. Everyone wants to get boats in the water and have some fun.

How often do you go boating?

2-3 times a week.  Wednesday night beer cans are great. I switch between racing downtown with Michael Argyelan and at Jackson Park, where my family has had a boat for 22 years. I also race or cruise here and there on the weekends and will take the family boat out with friends too.

What kind of boat?

The first boat we owned was a 24ft S2. We ended up with a T-Ten and started racing.  Currently the family is restoring a New York 36. Until the 36 is done, we will continue to race the Ten.

Did you grow up boating?

Yes. I did my first Race to Mac at the age of 12 on a T-Ten.

What is your favorite boating activity?

I have a competitive personality and I enjoy being part of a team to reach a common goal. Naturally, I love racing.  I’ve sailed in 15 Macs with my goal of being a Old Goat before I turn 40.

How many Employees work in your department? 8

How often do they go to training?

We do frequent in house training.

What job specific training do you have?

My time on the water is the best training anyone in the store can have.

What certifications do you have?  

Safety at Sea.

What is your number one recommendation to boat owners?

Maintain your boat inside and out. Always think ahead and monitor your equipment.

In your area of expertise, what can a boat owner do to maintain their boat?

Always look for projects to do around the boat. Keep an active list of previous repairs and needed repairs.

What is the one complaint that you hear most often?

Why does Chicago have to have a winter!

What is your number one money saving tip for boat owners?

Learn about how to complete little DIY jobs. A little knowledge goes a long way.

What is the toughest part of your job?

Sailors using different lingo when describing parts.

When are you most likely to be found in the harbors?

Wednesday nights and the weekends.

What is your favorite winter activity?

Watching football and traveling to sunny and warm locations.

What is the best way to get a hold of you to ask a question?

Give me a call or shoot me an email anytime.

773-221-9990 ext. 345  -  mjt@crowleys.com 

Safety Isn’t a Four Letter Word

By Michael Argyelan

Anyone living in the Chicago area has heard of tragedies involving our greatest of lakes, harbors, and tributaries. Whether it’s a fisherman falling in the water accidentally, a man overboard during a sailboat race, or the soft spoken gentleman a few docks down that decided to take friends out during a gale, accidents happen when on or near the water and we all need to think safety first.

As the Store Manager at Crowley’s, I hear so many stories in the store and around the yard. Some end as a comedy and some as tragedies. The most recent was of a MOB during a MORF race. Turns out that in the heat of the moment, “things”, very important procedural things, were missed or forgotten. All ended well with the sailor brought back aboard safely and a successful debrief. How can we prevent mistakes? One key word comes to mind, preparation.

Our boats are safely snuggled up in a boat yard, shivering and dreaming of warmer times. This does not mean our season is over. It’s never over if you’re planning on being prepared. This article will not be the be-all end-all to all things safety. We can only give you tips, tricks, and products to be aware of. It’s up to you to stay up to speed on all the rules, regulations, products, personnel, and hardware on your vessel.

Do you and your guests know where your safety items are aboard?  If not, it’s time to use the off season and make up a safety diagram. Find a diagram of your boat or a similar boat (try sailboatdata.com), and mark where your safety items are. Items we mark on my boat are the knife, flashlight(s), fuel shutoff, battery switches, fire extinguishers, PFD’s, flares, and wood plugs/through hulls.

With that last list in mind, don’t forget to check your equipment for optimal operational status. Check all extinguishers. Make sure your flares are up to date. Make sure the fuel shutoff opens and closes smoothly.

If your PFD’s are inflatable, take them home, blow them up manually, and let them stay inflated for 24 hours. If they are just as full as when you left them, you’re good to go. If not, it’s time to check for leaks. With the same PFD’s, check the dates and condition of your cylinders and see that they are in optimal working order. If you don’t have whistles on your PFD’s, get some.

Do you have an air horn or signaling device? You need one. Do you have extra batteries for your flashlight? When was the last time you replaced them? You get the idea.

Going above deck, we need to check our lifelines, hand rails, stanchions, and pulpits. Be sure to check the bases for cracks and the fittings for corrosion. Do any of the fittings leak below deck? If that’s the case, you will be dealing with wet spots in the deck and have weak areas where you need strength.

When was the last time you practiced a MOB drill? Have you ever been shown recommended methods? If not, it’s time to get on YouTube and watch some videos, at the very least. I highly recommend having a written procedure that you practice at least twice per year. The process should be memorized. Only practice will develop the necessary muscle memory to be fluid while on the water in a panicked situation. A general Google search will bring up images and videos on techniques like the quick stop and figure 8 methods.

What equipment do we recommend above deck? At a minimum, we recommend having a horseshoe buoy attached to a 50 foot heaving line that floats that can be tossed carefully to the victim. That’s bare minimum.

The next step above that is the Lifesling2. 

The Lifesling2 is highly recommended and has a horseshoe shaped buoy with the heaving line attached all neatly stowed in a bag that hangs off the stern rail. The next step above the Lifesling2 is the MOM8.

MOM stands for Man Overboard Module. The MOM8 is one of the most advanced products in man overboard safety equipment. Here are some notes from the manufacturer’s website, “With the MOM 8 the only focus is on pulling a single pin. Located on the top of the canister is a deployment handle, which when pulled, releases the bottom of the canister and allows the inflatable devices to automatically inflate while falling into the water. When inflated, the ballasted Locator Pylon has a 6-foot waterline height. Located on top of the pylon is a water-activated, lithium-powered, flashing light with 5 years of life. The light can be seen nearly a nautical mile under normal night conditions. The pylon has 2 SOLAS reflective panels to aid the boat's search. Tethered to the horseshoe and the pylon is a 16" diameter, ballasted, self-opening Sea Anchor to reduce downwind drift keeping the victim in the same position as when he went overboard.” Pretty amazing huh?

To summarize, you mount the unit to the stern rail following the instructions, pull the pin in a MOB scenario, the unit automatically deploys a MOB pylon with a light, a line, a horseshoe buoy, all without thinking past step three of pulling the pin. If you don’t know what step one and two are in a MOB situation, it’s time to study!

Safety on the water applies to us all. Power, sail, race, or cruise, all boaters need to take safety seriously. If you have any questions, we are here for you. If you have an experience, tip, photo, or anything safety related you’d like to share, please email me at mma@crowleys.com.

A Time of Thanksgiving

By: Michael Argyelan

This time of year, many of us are fortunate to spend quality time with our family and friends while sharing the gratitude that life brings us. For those of us at the yard, we will be doing just that. Some of us will be participating in charity events, going to family dinners, large or small, and some may put another check mark on the calendar in the countdown to the next time we sail.

We hope you, our valued friends, are able to enjoy some downtime this holiday weekend with your friends and loved ones. Our level of appreciation and gratitude for what we do here at the yard and the opportunity to serve you is at the top of our list. We all share the joys of boating and this weekend we take time to give thanks and gratitude and share in the joys of life.

As a reminder, the Ship’s Store will be closed from 5pm Wednesday, November 27^th through Sunday, December 1^st. Also, don’t forget our 2^nd Annual One Day Sale PLUS! is on Saturday, December 7th from 8am – 4pm with the first ever Ask an Expert morning from 8am – 12noon.

We hope this finds you well and thank you as always for being part of the Crowley’s community.

Gobble Gobble!