Leaky rudder tube

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rphrogers1

Splashed yesterday !,

Found a trickle of water coming in under the forward side of the fiberglass mound of the stern tube. The Tube itself is dry. The packing gland does not seen to be leaking as everything is dry on the mound. It isn't the most accesible area on a 1984 c-30. 2 years ago I overtightened the packing gland and broke the seal of the bottom of the gland to the mound. I resealed with 5200 and all seems to be holding and dry. The leak occurs at rest too, so it is under the waterline.. The scupper drains are dry also. My fear is a crack in the mound, which I am sure means pulling and paying. The water ingress is enough to be concerned.

Thoughts anyone

Bill
 
J

Jack La Paz, Mx

Possible solution

rphrogers1 said:
Splashed yesterday !,

Found a trickle of water coming in under the forward side of the fiberglass mound of the stern tube. The Tube itself is dry. The packing gland does not seen to be leaking as everything is dry on the mound. It isn't the most accesible area on a 1984 c-30. 2 years ago I overtightened the packing gland and broke the seal of the bottom of the gland to the mound. I resealed with 5200 and all seems to be holding and dry. The leak occurs at rest too, so it is under the waterline.. The scupper drains are dry also. My fear is a crack in the mound, which I am sure means pulling and paying. The water ingress is enough to be concerned.

Thoughts anyone

Bill
Click to expand
Had a similar problem in our '83 Cat. Seemed to be in the "well" in front of the rudder shaft under the quarterberth. Cut a 12"X12" opening in the liner to get to it and loaded the bow to raise the stern. Used 2 part epoxy with fiberglass fabric in several layers. No more trickle of water and bilge stays dry. It's been 5 years and a hurricane and still doing fine. 12 X 12 panel was reattached and is under the berth.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,050
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
5200 yet again, what...crazy glue for boaters? You could try a real epoxy like Marine Tex while you're still in the water. I don't have the label in front of me to assure it working under water, but there sure are materials out there that do.
 
chelsabella

chelsabella

.
Jun 2, 2004
64
Catalina 30 Ruskin/Tampa Bay
Add to the question

My rudder stuffing box turns witht he rudder post and there is a space between the top of the "mound" and the stuffing box with water weeping in. Should I fill that small gap with marine tex and the stuffing box not move?

Ron
Chels-A-Bella
3532
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,050
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Gluvit, too

I just read the label on the can of resin for this product, which I have used successfully in a number of applications. It can be used on wet surfaces. Just mix it up and paint it on. I think the "standing on the bow" is a great idea. Your "guests" may have to linger there for a awhile for anything to 'set up' properly unless you use, say, quick-setting Marine Tex or a similar quick set up time material.
 
R

rphrogers1

Stu Jackson said:
I just read the label on the can of resin for this product, which I have used successfully in a number of applications. It can be used on wet surfaces. Just mix it up and paint it on. I think the "standing on the bow" is a great idea. Your "guests" may have to linger there for a awhile for anything to 'set up' properly unless you use, say, quick-setting Marine Tex or a similar quick set up time material.
Click to expand


Thank you all for your suggestions. You have confirmed some of my thoughts and given me the confidence to keep her in the water to fix her. Friends and Family-Party on the Bow !!!

Bill
 
R

rphrogers1

packing gland

chelsabella said:
My rudder stuffing box turns witht he rudder post and there is a space between the top of the "mound" and the stuffing box with water weeping in. Should I fill that small gap with marine tex and the stuffing box not move?

Ron
Chels-A-Bella
3532
Click to expand
Ron

The 3 bolts that hold the packing gland together were probably overtightened at one point as I did to mine. The packing gland should be "fixed to the fiberglass mound and the shaft spins within it. Like a stuffing box for your rudder shaft. I raised the lower part of the gland off the mound applied 5200 to the OUTSIDE if the gland and reseeded back into the mound. Be careful not to get any of the adhesive on the rudder shaft itself. I was out of the water when I did it, and it was pretty easy to do, It might be a little messier trying to do it while still in the water, but perhaps lots of weight on the bow would do the trick. I'm sure 4200 would work as well and be easier to correct if need be. Here is a diagram from the c-34 list

http://www.c34.org/faq-pages/techdata-rudder-packing-gland.html

Good luck.

Bill
 
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