Robert Griem, Iota, #302

The dripless shaft seal which I installed on Iota is a Lasdrop generation 2. It is the 7/8" size to fit the shaft. It fit nicely behind the A4 with about an inch or so to spare. I purchased it from Nautical Specialties Inc., 8226 Goldie St., Walled Lake, MI 48390. Phone 810 360 5300 or try 1 800 940 SEAL. The unit seems to be fairly well made, and I have had no problems with it in three years of use. I have not compared it with other units on the market, however. I can tell you that it is indeed dripless.

Rob Squire, #96, Head over Heels

I just last week put a P.S.S. dripless packing seal on Head Over Heels. True to its name, when I splashed the boat, not a drip. Even when I motored back to the slip....bone dry. I finally jiggled it to make sure that there was even some water behind the thing....sure enough.

Things I learned. The rubber tube comes about 1/8 inch small in diameter. To fit it takes some soap and grunt. You order based on the O.D. of the stern tube (1 5/8" on HOH) and the shaft size (1" in my case).

Very simple to install and if it holds up, it promises to be a nice addition to a wonderful boat