years ago and before we reached the boarder I noticed the water pump leaking. It was a spare that I had put on about two month prior. I had the original rebuilt and put into my spare parts. I decided to return to San Diego and replace it at the dock rather then carry on and put my spare on while underway. I got back to the dock in the afternoon and replaced the pump planning on heading out again in the morning. After replacing the pump I fired up the engine only to find my spare was worse then the one I had just replaced. I took it off and took both of them in to the rebuild shop. Two days later I was off again but I didn't have the cozy feeling because it ruined my trust in rebuilt pumps. About half way down the Baja my starboard alternator belt broke. I transferred over to my port alternator and was able to continue on. In the morning when I was able to start sailing again I replaced the broken belt and transferred back to the starboard alternator only to have the spare brake after about an hours run time. I transferred back to the port alternator and ran the rest of the way to Cabo. That spare belt was about 5 years old. I like the idea of having the shaft greased on the spare pump to protect the seal but I also would suggest that the impeller not be installed in the pump until it time to install the pump. I'm going to replace my belts on a three year rotation and buy one of the emergency snap together belts that fit any size configuration. My two alternators use different sized belts so a one size fits all as a back up for my backup spares appeals to me.