Introducing the Stubby Pro Shaft Seal

Stubby Pro Shaft Seals offer boaters a trustworthy, heavy-duty alternative to so-called mechanical face seals and lip seals.

Inspired by the success of our original SA Series Shaft Seals in the commercial fishing fleets of New England, the Stubby Pro offers the same benefits in a compact profile that fits most stern tube configurations.

Product Video:

The Stubby Pro Advantage:

The Stubby Pro is designed to be low maintenance, with limited failure points while maximizing performance and safety. If you’ve been boating long enough, you’ve either experienced a failure of a “packless” shaft seal or know someone who has.

• No bellows to rip or lose compression

• No set screws to cut into the shaft

• No lip seals to tear

• No carbon stator to crack

• No stainless rotor to slip

• No flimsy hose barb to snap off

• No drips required to keep packing cool

Experience the difference and find out why many of the world’s finest boat builders, service yards, and marine mechanics trust RE Thomas’s shaft seals. Stop worrying about your dripless shaft seal and get the peace of mind you deserve.

The Problem With Modern Dripless Shaft Seals:

Experienced boaters have warned for years that modern dripless shaft seals can be dangerous and are more prone to catastrophic failure.

The Stubby Pro is designed specifically to address these concerns.

You see, space means everything in the design of modern boats. With the adaptation of smaller profile “dripless” shaft seals, boatbuilders and naval architects are able slide the engines further aft (not needing the extra room to change the packing on a traditional stuffing box).

This practice created an extra foot of “useable” space on some boats, but if the owner wanted to upgrade to a less complicated heavy-duty shaft seal, they can’t because they don’t have the room.

Enter the Stubby Pro Shaft Seal, short for “Stubby Profile”:

If you are experiencing issues with complicated dripless shaft seals, the Stubby Pro offers a reliable and efficient solution. Designed to combine the simplicity and reliability of a traditional stuffing box with the benefits of a dripless seal, the Stubby Pro is better than shaft seals featuring packless face seals and lip seals.

One of the key advantages of the Stubby Pro is its compact profile, allowing for installation in a wider variety of vessels that may have limited space. This means that boat owners who previously didn’t have the option of a more reliable shaft seal can now benefit from the Stubby Pro.

The Stubby Pro is water-fed to prevent starvation at higher speeds. This ensures that the packing material stays cool and prevents burning up and failure. Additionally, advancements in packing material technology have been incorporated into the design of the Stubby Pro. This allows for a watertight seal around the propeller shaft without excessive friction or heat generation.

R.E. Thomas’s shaft seals have earned the trust of many boat builders, service yards, and marine mechanics around the world. Upgrade your boat with a Stubby Pro.

Example Dimensions:

Introducing the new S4 Steering System from R.E. Thomas Marine Hardware. The S4 is an entirely new commercial-grade steering system designed in collaboration with Lonnie’s Hydraulic Services in Topsham, ME (one of the premier marine hydraulic steering service companies in New England).

Together, we reimaged what a hydraulic steering assembly could be designing the S4 Steering System for maximum durability, performance, and safety based on over 50 years of manufacturing propeller shafts, shaft seals, stuffing boxes, and rudder ports.

Constructed entirely of stainless steel and aircraft-quality aluminum, the S4 Steering System delivers unmatched torque and pressure ratings while maintaining exceptional serviceability. Best of all, the S4 is backed by RE Thomas Marine Hardware’s uncompromising commitment to customer service.

These features make the S4 Steering System ideal for recreational and commercial vessels between 30′ and 65′ in length. In fact, the system was designed specifically for the increased torque loads generated in Maine Lobster Boats (aka. Downeast boats, picnic yachts, lobster yachts, etc.).

Key Features of the S4 Steering System:

• 100 degrees of total rudder movement with up to 50,000 in/lbs of torque.
• Heavy duty 316 stainless cylinders, rated to 3000 PSI. Designed and modeled from heavy equipment cylinders using high-performance seals and wear bands, with the easy assembly of a tie-rod cylinder.
• Precision machined from stainless steel and aircraft-quality aluminum, with no castings or weldments.
• Hi-performance Vesconite HiLube bushings eliminate “sloppiness” and provide high load-bearing strength, high wear resistance, and low friction without requiring manual lubrication.
• Dual-ported cylinder gland allows internal connection for the cross-hose plumbing, eliminating external tees and reducing failure/ leak points.
• Available in rudder bores from 1-1/2” to 3”.
• The subframe promotes easy installation while maintaining correct geometry between all components.
• Split tiller head design and removable bushing subplate allow access to the rudder box (port) for servicing.
• The subframe rudder bushing adds a third bearing aligned with the rudder shaft, transmitting all torque directly to the rudder shaft.
• Made in the U.S.A.

A Better Hydraulic Steering System Design:

We engineered the S4 Hydraulic Steering System based on feedback from customers and boatbuilders. The current steering systems on the market were found to be poorly designed and unable to withstand the rigorous workload on commercial fishing boats. However, the S4 is equally suited for owners of recreational boaters who are unwilling to compromise on safety and quality. By listening to our customers, we were able to identify the shortcomings of existing systems and create a new solution that is more durable, reliable, and efficient.

R.E. Thomas is proud to introduce this innovative product that promises to revolutionize the marine hydraulic steering industry.