Home built prop shaft seals

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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