Hi Jim and happy new year to you and your family. The shouldered shaft is
a good idea. I was talking to Gary at the psub convention about those seals.
He has his hatch dogs penetrating the hatch with handles on the outside as
well as the inside. I like the idea of having exterior handles in case you
need to be rescued. Anyway, he is using '' V Block '' seals on the four
handles and said they work well, and are inexpensive. I asked about
replacement and that was easy too. You remember his yellow sub at the pond ?
He rebuilt the sub and it was looking good. He has a business that makes
underwater stuff, and would be a good guy to contact. Here's his info : Gary
Sluis, Michigan Offshore Technologies, 16083 Croswell St. West Olive MI.
49460 (
gary@michiganoffshore.net
) cell (616)403-4743
As for a visit, You're welcome any time. I'll send you an e-mail with
address etc.
Frank D.