Stern Tube Change

The original specification for Syncopation included a Vetus water-lubricated stern tube but the shell builder is not keen to fit one as he's never done one before so we've agreed to go with a traditional grease-lubricated tube with stuffing box. I was a little surprised as Tim Tyler has been building narrowboat shells for years but these tubes are relatively new to the canal scene. Anyway, it's goodbye to the low maintenance Vetus tube and hello to the more traditional version:

We just have to remember to grease the stern tube every day. Rumour has it that the Vetus stern gear won't cope as well with the dirtier, gritter canal water but nobody who has one has reported a failure due to this.

I'll add pictures of both types just as soon as I find them.