Cost to replace shaft seal

[Legasea]

So my 32+2, 2002, has not had the shaft seal replaced in at least nine years, so it’s time! I directed our Boatyard to replace it come spring time. I believe it’s a Tides Marine seal. Has anybody had this done before and can you give me an idea of what I should expect for cost?

[Maogwaicat]

Please update this project, I'm sure some of us will need to repeat on our own vessels.
Dc

[Legasea]

I sure will. Just spoke to the boatyard and they are ordering the parts.

[RobS]

Be sure they install a spare seal carrier. Go to the Tides Marine website and look it up if you don't know what I am referring to.

[Legasea]

Yes, they are going to put on a second seal carrier to make the next replacement simpler.

[BarryG]

Yes, on our boats this is a pretty big deal. I believe they have to unbolt and remove the lower rudder support from the keel, loosen and drop the rudder out of the boat, unbolt the engine/shaft coupler, loosen and disconnect the original shaft seal, slide the shaft back at least far enough to get the old shaft seal off and slide the two new seals onto the end of the shaft. Assembly is basically the reverse, except they need to realign the coupler to the output flange of the transmission.

If were doing it, I would strongly recommend removing the prop from the shaft and pulling the shaft all the way out. This allows a couple of things.
#1- close inspection of the shaft.
#2- inspection and/or replacement of the cutlass bearing. If the shaft seal is that old, how old is the cutlass bearing?
#3- send prop out for "truing" and and tuning.

You are so close by just doing the seal replacement, it pays to do a complete job while things are apart. You already have the shaft almost out anyway.
Maintenance is the key to having a pleasant boating experience, IMHO.

I am very interested to hear about the costs for doing this job!