Home built prop shaft seals

[Jasen]

I'm getting ready to build my 1st. peddle power wooden boat.
I'm looking for some help/info on building the prop shaft seal.
So far all my ideas aren't looking so good on paper.

Thanx,
Jasen

[marshmat]

Seals are one of those things that are easier to just buy. A commercially made "stuffing box" seal unit, sized for your hull and propshaft, and filled with a specially-designed propshaft packing seal material, will be cheaper and last longer than most homemade alternatives. Or you could swipe the lower unit from a fried outboard; it has all the seals and such already in place. But this is one of the few things that just doesn't work too well homebuilt.

[Jasen]

Marshmat,
I looked into buying one, but what I've found on the web is a size problem. My prop shaft is only 1/2" The smallest I've found is 3/4".
I might be able to sleave it at the seal point with some 1/8" pipe stock.

Thanx,
Jasen

[cyclops]

Go to a plumbing parts place. Tell them what you want to seal. They can show you dozens of seals that are perfect. Cost will be nothing, and a common standard size.

[Jasen]

Now why didn't I think of that

That greased up the 'ol wheels.

Found some streach fit rotory shaft ring seals over at McMaster-Carr.
They sound like more then enough to do the job, and for only $3 and change.
Ok, plus shipping

Thanx