I recently bought a 1984 Catalina 30. It has a 25 HP Diesel. I was doing some maintenance to the engine and noticed that it was dripping water. It is dripping off a collar on the drive shaft, about 3-4 inches after it comes out of the transmission running towards the aft of the boat. Has anyone had this problem before and what do I need to do to fix it? I appreciate any help anyone can give me on this.
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Catalina 30
Ont or two drips per minute are fine from the shaft log. I would suggest you look into the International Catalina 30 Assn. Go to www.catalina30.com and you will find a wealth of info specifically for the Catalina 30.
Ont or two drips per minute are fine from the shaft log. I would suggest you look into the International Catalina 30 Assn. Go to www.catalina30.com and you will find a wealth of info specifically for the Catalina 30.
Stuffing Box
Vicki That collar you mention is the stuffing box. It keeps the propellor shaft lubricated as it turns. In addition to the Catalina 30 website, try the link below. The c34s and C30s have the same engine. BTW, I believe your M25 engine is either 21 or 23 HP, not 25. The 23 HP is the M25XP. Good luck with your new boat.
Vicki That collar you mention is the stuffing box. It keeps the propellor shaft lubricated as it turns. In addition to the Catalina 30 website, try the link below. The c34s and C30s have the same engine. BTW, I believe your M25 engine is either 21 or 23 HP, not 25. The 23 HP is the M25XP. Good luck with your new boat.
I remember those days!
Your post reminded me of where I was on the learning curve 1-1/2 years ago when I purchased my Cat 30. You won't believe how much you are about to learn. The stuffing box is on all in-board engines and provides a mechanism for running the prop shaft through the hull. It prevents too much water from entering the boat and lubricates the shaft to prevent excess heat build-up. The stuffing box can be tightened to reduce the amount of the drip. When functing normally, it should drip 2 - 4 times per minute. If it drips more, you may want to tighten the large nut and see if that helps. If not, you may need to repack the box preferably during your next haul-out. You will learn that there is dripless packing for the stuffing box. I have it. There is no drip when the shaft is not turning and some drip when it is. There is also a dripless stuffing box that you can purchase. Most who have it, like it. I don't have one because, I understand that if they fail, you are in trouble. There is nothing that can go wrong with a regular packed stuffing box that can't be temporarily cured by shoving a rag or old t-shirt in it. Good luck! Enjoy your new boat. I'm sure you will love it. Eric Ludin ~Tilde~ 83 trbs #3305 St. Petersburg
Your post reminded me of where I was on the learning curve 1-1/2 years ago when I purchased my Cat 30. You won't believe how much you are about to learn. The stuffing box is on all in-board engines and provides a mechanism for running the prop shaft through the hull. It prevents too much water from entering the boat and lubricates the shaft to prevent excess heat build-up. The stuffing box can be tightened to reduce the amount of the drip. When functing normally, it should drip 2 - 4 times per minute. If it drips more, you may want to tighten the large nut and see if that helps. If not, you may need to repack the box preferably during your next haul-out. You will learn that there is dripless packing for the stuffing box. I have it. There is no drip when the shaft is not turning and some drip when it is. There is also a dripless stuffing box that you can purchase. Most who have it, like it. I don't have one because, I understand that if they fail, you are in trouble. There is nothing that can go wrong with a regular packed stuffing box that can't be temporarily cured by shoving a rag or old t-shirt in it. Good luck! Enjoy your new boat. I'm sure you will love it. Eric Ludin ~Tilde~ 83 trbs #3305 St. Petersburg
Stuffing box repair
Can anyone tell me the correct size flax material needed to correct this problem? Also, does a place like Boater's World or Pro Bass carry it and roughly the cost? Is it safe to do while the boat is in the water? Would love to have any info you can offer, Thanks.
Can anyone tell me the correct size flax material needed to correct this problem? Also, does a place like Boater's World or Pro Bass carry it and roughly the cost? Is it safe to do while the boat is in the water? Would love to have any info you can offer, Thanks.
Stuffing box
The C-30 uses 3/16 packing. Must marine stores carry it, cost is under $4.00. There is also Gore GFO, more expensive at around $12.00. I porchased the later but haven't gotten around to installing it yet...to cold.
The C-30 uses 3/16 packing. Must marine stores carry it, cost is under $4.00. There is also Gore GFO, more expensive at around $12.00. I porchased the later but haven't gotten around to installing it yet...to cold.
Can be done in the water
I've heard that it can be done in the water...but, I don't have the guts to do it. A screw-up could be disasterous.I'd rather put the boat up on a lift and calmly do the job then, or pay someone to do it for me.
I've heard that it can be done in the water...but, I don't have the guts to do it. A screw-up could be disasterous.I'd rather put the boat up on a lift and calmly do the job then, or pay someone to do it for me.
changing packing
Yes, it can be done in the water, but I wouldn't recommend it. It can be difficult to extract the old packing, and the amount of water coming in while you're struggling with it will be frightening. The job takes time to do it right and it's nice not to have to rush. Better to wait until haulout. If you absolutely must do it while in the water, you may want to try tying a rubber tourniquette (like the kind a nurse uses on your arm while drawing blood) around the shaft after removal of the packing nut. This won't stop the leak but it might buy you some time while you fiddle with it. Make sure your bilge pump works well! Water or no, definately buy a packing removal tool (looks like a little corkscrew). It will save you much grief. Good luck!
Yes, it can be done in the water, but I wouldn't recommend it. It can be difficult to extract the old packing, and the amount of water coming in while you're struggling with it will be frightening. The job takes time to do it right and it's nice not to have to rush. Better to wait until haulout. If you absolutely must do it while in the water, you may want to try tying a rubber tourniquette (like the kind a nurse uses on your arm while drawing blood) around the shaft after removal of the packing nut. This won't stop the leak but it might buy you some time while you fiddle with it. Make sure your bilge pump works well! Water or no, definately buy a packing removal tool (looks like a little corkscrew). It will save you much grief. Good luck!
stuffing box
I decided to try my luck and do the job while in the water. Turned out not to be that big a job. I read that you can use a 2 inch wallboard screw to pull the old and it works well. I was very leary at first but I wouldnt hesitate to do it now. Like most things I have found thus far, the Cat 30 is laid out pretty well for even novices like myself to work on.
I decided to try my luck and do the job while in the water. Turned out not to be that big a job. I read that you can use a 2 inch wallboard screw to pull the old and it works well. I was very leary at first but I wouldnt hesitate to do it now. Like most things I have found thus far, the Cat 30 is laid out pretty well for even novices like myself to work on.
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