Stuffing Box: To Pack or not to pack - The Hull Truth

saltygasdoc · 04-29-2007, 05:28 PM

Hello:

Removed the shaft packing nut on my (new to me) 1990 30 foot Black Watch only to fing hard gray-white, difficult to revove material inside. Does not appear anything like conventional packing and is not at all pliable. Looks like it will be a big PITA to remove thanks to characteristics of the material, location and space. At sea trial, they did not leak excessively but I did not check the temp as it was howling and freezing during the sea trial. The boat sat for one season out of the water prior to my purchase. Could this be dried up "dripless" clay type packing or some more conventional material that has morphed into this hard crap??? What I can see of the shaft appears to not be scored. I have tried to contact prior owner and ask if/when this had been done. That would obviously be the best source of information. Should I try to get this stuff (hours at play with a dental pick I think) out and repack or leave it , run it and check temp and drip????? Part of me wants to leave it and but part wants to remove it. I don't like fixing things that ain't broke. I havee never seen the dripless clay this dry. Any guidance/advice ?? Thanks in advance.

billinstuart · 04-29-2007, 08:45 PM

I'm not familiar with the non-stranded packing either. If the boat is in the water, I'd leave it alone if it isn't too bad. Not all packing is under pressure at speed, due to the shape of the log/hole thru the hull which can actually cause a "vacuum" at the packing. Thus, it may only leak at the dock, and be dry underway. What's yer situation?

Tarbaby · 04-29-2007, 09:17 PM

Could it be Teflon packing that is discolored? Tighten her up and see if it stops...

prockvoan · 04-29-2007, 09:26 PM

One way to help remove it is put the boat in reverse with the packing nut loose and back down on it.Be ready it install new packing.Do have your new packing cut to the right size rings.Or,you can just add a ring or two of packing to it if you have the room.Do adjust it right.Do check often for the first few hours of running.One thing I hate is a shaft log slinging water everywere.That leads to rust on everything and more problems in the long run.Also you need to check the rudder log packings being the boat was out of the water for a year.

slickster · 04-30-2007, 02:41 AM

It's teflon that's been in there for a while....should have several individual wraps of the stuff, did use a dental pick to snag them out one at a time, if you can get one out, take it to a supplier and get some of the same sized stuff, it should drip slightly when repacked, not a steady stream, but a single drip every 2-4 secs....if the new packing is cranked down too tightly, it gets very hot and ruins the new stuff, then it starts to run in at a steady stream....if you are able to control the drip rate without excessive tightening of the nut, it's probably OK for the season....Mick

saltygasdoc · 04-30-2007, 10:02 AM

The boat is on the hard, out of water for 1.5 years except for sea trial last fall. Al projects done except this last one. Thanks for all of your help. I will try to pick away at all of the packing and repack. At least that's what I am thinking this am......Yes, rudder packings are cooked and did leak. On inspection, there was next to nothing left inside the gland. Those will be repacked.