Spring commissioning - 2004 SO35

[reverie]

Hello all,

The cover is coming off my boat this weekend, and I'm beginning to prepare the boat for launch, which is just 4 weeks away. It's been on the hard all winter.

It's my first time launching the boat, which I purchased late last spring.

Two questions:

1. Shaft seal. After the boat is launched, do I need to do anything special to the shaft seal? Do I need to somehow get air out of it? Or can I just assume it will be good to go? The shaft seal is the standard one that came on the 2004 SO 35.

2. Engine cooling system. When I launch the boat, the seawater intake hose will be empty from the through-hull to the strainer on top of the engine. Should this be primed - i.e. should I fill it with water at the strainer after closing the through-hull valve? Or will the impeller just suck the big air bubble through the hose?

Any tips and suggestions would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

John

[mkremedy]

John,
I am not sure what shaft seal you have, but if it a blatter seal, all you have to do is to pinch it near to top side of it just to get the air out of it.
As far as the dry intake water hose, if the water pump impeller is in good shape, then it will just prime itself. There's no need to do anything or than making sure it doesn't need to be replaced.

Happy Sailing
MKREMEDY

[reverie]

Many thanks,

I changed the impeller last Saturday, so should be in good shape. First time in 5 years that the thing was changed.

3 weeks, 6 days until launch, but who's counting....

John