29.5 Hunter Standing Water Under Stuffing Box

[kdammen]

My 29.5 has standing water under the stuffing box. I assume this is normal because it doesn't have any drains through the bulkhead. However my concern is the gelcoat has flaked off the wood bracing and mold appears rapidly. Also that moisture seeps through the panel cover and into the mattress directly above, causing black mould stains in the mattress.

This water eventually fills the cavity under the stuffing box, overflows into the engine pan, then drains to the bilge.

Any solutions to this problem? If the stuffing box is designed to drip, why not let it drain to the bilge?

 

[kdammen]

Here are some photos of what I'm dealing with. I'm tempted to drill through the stringer below the coupler, but not sure if it would have a wood core to worry about?

 

[Meriachee]

What you will find is that the shaft is turning at the forward edge of the nut. That will cause water to "spin off" the shaft, and from the pictures, the wood in question is right there. It's going to get wet. Irrespective of the pooling question, you should dry it out really well, and seal it up with some good epoxy paint and never have to worry about that again.

 

[kdammen]

That will solve my wood rotting problem, but the moisture will still be down there and seeping up into the mattress. I guess I'd prefer it drain rather than pool.

 

[Justin_NSA]

You could always go with a dripless seal. Water problems solved. But do as Meriachee recommended.

 

[Meriachee]

You could always go with a dripless seal. Water problems solved. But do as Meriachee recommended.

... and the crowd chanted ... PSS PSS PSS.

 

[kdammen]

Thanks guys, A PSS dripless is the plan this winter. But until then I would like to keep it dry.

 

[Justin_NSA]

I went with a LasDrop Gen II. But any dripless will help. Maybe a big sponge 'til then?

 

[Dave Groshong]

PSS PSS PSS! They really do work well:
https://shop.hunterowners.com/hp/part.php?m=29.5&c=12&p=55160

 

[Hunter Ad Bot]

 

[Capt Robbie]

Stringers are not wood cored, try adding a drip tube thru the stringer seal around the tube with a good silicon and run the drip tube to the bilge. Quick easy fix.

 

[kdammen]

Thanks Capt Robbie, that's exactly what I was looking for. I assumed it was wood core. Any reason a drop tube is needed vs just drilling into the stringer? I believe it will make it to the bilge between the layers anyway.

 

[Capt Robbie]

Yes, water may accumulate inside the stringer and develop mold and smells. Plus in the winter months ice may form and cause issues. Simple mod to do just drill hole on both sides, insert alluminium tube, silicon it in and clamp a clear hose to the other end. Done