A dry bilge still deserves a service plan.

Know the age and model

PSS recommends bellows replacement every six years for Type A and every eight to ten years for PRO and Type B. Damage or deterioration calls for earlier attention; the calendar is a replacement guide, not permission to ignore condition.

If you bought the boat without a record, identify the existing seal and discuss its history with the person servicing it. A clean appearance alone does not establish the age of a bellows.

Look at the whole assembly

The manufacturer’s guidance calls for regular inspection, generally at least every six months. Check the accessible bellows, clamps and water arrangement as part of the vessel’s normal maintenance routine.

Useful records are simple: date, observations, photographs and work performed. They help distinguish a new change from an existing condition and let the next technician see the installation history.

Order the correct maintenance kit

A Type A kit includes a replacement bellows, O-rings, set screws, hose clamps, thread lock and an Allen key. The PRO kit uses silicone bellows and 316 stainless clamps. Match the kit to both the shaft and stern-tube dimensions.

Have the actual product checked before ordering. A complete seal and a service kit solve different problems, and a worn or damaged component outside the kit needs a separate assessment.

Use the access while you have it

Discuss the service scope before haul-out. If the shaft coupling will be removed, decide which parts and checks belong in that job. Confirm the selected kit and supply timing while there is still time to correct an incomplete order.

During bellows renewal, the manufacturer also calls for replacement of the associated O-rings, set screws and clamps. Whether the carbon and rotor remain suitable is a condition-based decision for the servicing technician.

Keep the next interval visible

After service, save the invoice, part reference, date and current installation instructions. Add the next planned inspection and bellows renewal to your maintenance record. Take a fresh photograph of the completed assembly.

Contact Luxfords with the current seal model, shaft and stern-tube sizes, and the work planned. If you are uncertain about the family, send clear photographs rather than choosing a kit on appearance alone.

• Identify the model and age.
• Inspect condition and water connections.
• Match the kit to the installation.
• Record the service for the next owner or technician.