Two questions: PSS shaft seals and some sort of line cutter...

[Prodigal Son]

PSS, is it worth it? Does it work? etc.

Line cutter...I need something to keep me from having to jump in the darn water every time some idiot lets their fishing line/dock line/crab pot line get in the way of my boat which has the right of way everywhere it goes

I guess they are just blades that mount on your shaft? Do they hurt performance? Any caveats with them?

Thanks,

[fishfighter]

Pss shaft system is nice,BUT there are problems that can happen.Water is injected from your raw water pump which is mounted direct to the engine.If ever that hose pops,you will fill the bilge fast.I know of one boat that went down last year in NC that sank becouse of this problem.The captain and deck was running that boat down to Fla for the boat show and both men lost there lives.Now a good gland packing that is adjusted right should only leak a drop now and then.So for the expence,I would just repack the gland twice a year and pocket that extra money.Another problem I hear is if you go down to one engine,you need to stop the other from rotating(prop) becouse of no cooling to the gland.Some boats do have duel hook ups were one or the other engine will feed the glands on twin screws.For a refit if money was tight or one of those things I could live without.Hell yes,I would go out and buy a few new rod and reels first and still have a little money left to put in the fuel tank.

On to a line or rode cutter.Yes it is a good product.I have used a set in the pass.They did work on smaller rode,but I did pick up some 1/2" rope once that it didn't do any good.If you are running twin screws,double the expence for them.That will be around 4 bills.For that kind of money,buy a good mask and fins to keep on board.You never know when you ever come across a whaleshark.Great time to break out that mask for a swim.Also,the mask will let you go for a swim to check your running gear and bottom once a month to see if you need a cleanning job done by a diver.With the price of fuel,I would be having that done more often.So,if you have an extra $400 laying around just to throw over the side,then do so.Installing,they just clamp around your shaft.You might need to dry dock your boat for the installation(more money).

These products,do you really need them?No!Are they nice to have?I would say the line cutters,yes,but not the PSS glands.For the money?To me no on both!

[Prodigal Son]

I appreciate you taking the time to give your views/experience. Let me throw this at you and see if it changes anything:

I have a small single inboard that I keep on a trailer. Therefore pulling it for anything isn't a problem, because it gets pulled after every use, and none of the costs will be doubled.

As for the line cutter, I didn't really elaborate. I fish a lot in the winter when jumping in isn't a real good idea. Then there's the insane amount of jellyfish that end up near my house every year from about Mid-July until the temp turns in late August. Two things that were pushing me toward a line cutter.

[fishfighter]

In your case,shop around for the line cutter.It is a good product for smaller line or rode.Being you keep your boat on the trailer,I wouldn't spend extra on PSS system.What a PSS system does shine is when a boat stays in the water 365 days+.They do help keep the bilge dry till they fail.

On the mask and fins.If you ever are out in open ocean and wrap something in your running gear,that mask will save you big time.It is one of those things that should be on every inboard boat if one uses it in open waters.You can buy a cheap one for under $15 to keep onboard.Just put it with your ditch bag.The fins,to me they help out alot when under the boat an I am a strong swimmer.