1989 Hunter 30 Stuffing box

[Douglas Miller]

I recently purchased a 1989 Hunter 30. I want to service the stuffing box. The packing nut is plastic and the shaft is not centered in the nut. It isn't leaking excessively but I want to service it. What size packing material should I use. How much water will enter the boat while servicing and are there any caveats

 

[Bob E.]

Wait for haul out

If the packing gland is not leaking too much now, I would recommend waiting until the boat is hauled (assuming you do that for the winter season). You should also replace the entire packing gland with a bronze one. I wouldn't trust a plastic one. Other posts on HOW have mentioned problems with plastic ones. By the way, I have a 1989 Hunter 30 and it has a bronze packing gland. I wonder if a previous owner replaced the original, or if Hunter built soem boats differently.

 

[Gerald Davies]

H30 packing nut

I have a '88 H30 that also had a packing gland problem.I decided during the haul out this year to put a final end to this nonsense and i installed a PSS dripless system.Best thing I ever did to my boat....works great...the bilge is dry and no more milldew smells and so forth.good sailing gd