Access to stuffing box in Columbia 31

[George Robertson]

I just bought a Columbia 31. I'm very pleased with the boat and am more pleased as I learn more about it, and am looking for advice on one tricky problem. This boat has a brand new Universal Diesel, replacing the old Atomic 4. Unfortunately the new engine with it's auxiliary stuff makes it very difficult to reach the stuffing box on the propeller shaft. I'm told that a tall, thin person used to be able to lie along the side of the old engine and reach the stuffing box, which is out of sight behind the transmission and beneath the fuel tank. But I doubt that's possible now, for me at any rate.I'm considering cutting away the floor of the Starboard quarterberth, thus converting the berth into a cockpit locker, then cutting an access hole in the longitudinal bulkhead that forms the cockpit wall, right down where it meets the hull. I believe I could then get at the stuffing box. I'd be grateful for any advice and comments.

 

[George Robertson]

I just bought a Columbia 31. I'm very pleased with the boat and am more pleased as I learn more about it, and am looking for advice on one tricky problem. This boat has a brand new Universal Diesel, replacing the old Atomic 4. Unfortunately the new engine with it's auxiliary stuff makes it very difficult to reach the stuffing box on the propeller shaft. I'm told that a tall, thin person used to be able to lie along the side of the old engine and reach the stuffing box, which is out of sight behind the transmission and beneath the fuel tank. But I doubt that's possible now, for me at any rate.I'm considering cutting away the floor of the Starboard quarterberth, thus converting the berth into a cockpit locker, then cutting an access hole in the longitudinal bulkhead that forms the cockpit wall, right down where it meets the hull. I believe I could then get at the stuffing box. I'd be grateful for any advice and comments.

 

[Herb Miller]

re access to stuffing box

re stuffing box access: two thoughts come up. I installed a 3 cyl. atomic 3to replace my Atomic 4 into a 35 ft. Alberg sloop. The heat exchanger tank was mounted cross-wise at the rear of the engine, right above the fwd/rev.transmission box. I de-mounted it and placed it alongside the engine on abulkhead to give better access to the trans box fill and dipstick. Factory saidit was no problem where it was located. If yours is there, maybe moving it would give you better access to the stuffing box which is located directlyaft of the transmission. You would have to kneel in front of the engine and reach over the top to get to the stuffing box.. guess it all depends on how much clearance there is there. Secondly: I now have a Columbia 41 . Both of my main cabin setteeberths have access holes cut into the plywood that is the settee/berth bottom on which the cushions rest. They cut them with the sabre saw blade at a 45 degree angle instead of straight up and down. The plug that then came out goes right pack into place to plug up the hole without ruining the supportboard. You could do that in your quarter berth, and then cut an access holeinto the vertical plywood also to reach thru to access the stuffing box. I've seen this on several other models of boats also. If you think it would not give enough support, you could scab on apiece under the hole cut out with a lip extending into the hole opening (a number of screws, or thru bolts to holdit with glue and/or expoxy to help. ) ,,on each of the four sides of the holeopening. This would give plenty of added support to hold up the cut-awaypiece. And, you do not lose the quarter berth. Glad to talk to you about itif you want. hnmiller@covad.net ,,,,, 630-629-0571  Herb Miller

 

[Herb Miller]

re access to stuffing box

re stuffing box access: two thoughts come up. I installed a 3 cyl. atomic 3to replace my Atomic 4 into a 35 ft. Alberg sloop. The heat exchanger tank was mounted cross-wise at the rear of the engine, right above the fwd/rev.transmission box. I de-mounted it and placed it alongside the engine on abulkhead to give better access to the trans box fill and dipstick. Factory saidit was no problem where it was located. If yours is there, maybe moving it would give you better access to the stuffing box which is located directlyaft of the transmission. You would have to kneel in front of the engine and reach over the top to get to the stuffing box.. guess it all depends on how much clearance there is there. Secondly: I now have a Columbia 41 . Both of my main cabin setteeberths have access holes cut into the plywood that is the settee/berth bottom on which the cushions rest. They cut them with the sabre saw blade at a 45 degree angle instead of straight up and down. The plug that then came out goes right pack into place to plug up the hole without ruining the supportboard. You could do that in your quarter berth, and then cut an access holeinto the vertical plywood also to reach thru to access the stuffing box. I've seen this on several other models of boats also. If you think it would not give enough support, you could scab on apiece under the hole cut out with a lip extending into the hole opening (a number of screws, or thru bolts to holdit with glue and/or expoxy to help. ) ,,on each of the four sides of the holeopening. This would give plenty of added support to hold up the cut-awaypiece. And, you do not lose the quarter berth. Glad to talk to you about itif you want. hnmiller@covad.net ,,,,, 630-629-0571  Herb Miller