I'm pretty sure I still have a pair of Tides (original) Strong Seals on the boat. I had them put on with the original engines shortly after I got the boat in 1995 and replaced them in 2003 with the full upgrade repower which required different size prop shafting. The new set ( with cross-over cooling hose like the 1st set ) has about 2300 hrs on them so far ( and ~~2000 hrs on the 1st set that were fine at take-out).
The only time either set has leaked a drop was about 10-12 yrs ago when I had a port starter fail and I attempted to brake the shaft with lots of criss-crossed wraps of 5/8" dockline secured to a cleat. Water pressure on the unpowered prop still spun it and the wraps traveled to the Strong Seal to push against it and water flowed into the bilge briefly until I removed the line to let the prop & shaft free-wheel.
As soon as the line was removed the leak stopped and has remained drip-free ever since . I do check them for heat to confirm the lubing/ cooling water supply is still good.
I certainly hope to never have the situation with them mintreqila experienced, because I love these seals.
Note , however, mine are the Strong Seals and I expect others may be referring to the newer SureSeals that I believe may have come out sometime between 2000 and 2003. My present set may have been "new old stock" to match what had been on there .
