Delrod suffing box

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,558
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
A Delrod stuffing box is a specific type of marine stuffing box (also known as a packing gland or shaft seal) designed for boats, particularly sailboats. It’s manufactured by Delrod, a company specializing in marine hardware for propeller shaft sealing. These devices create a watertight seal around the propeller shaft where it exits the hull, allowing the shaft to rotate freely while preventing water ingress. They’re common on older or smaller sailboats, like the 1970 23ft Irwin model mentioned in boating forums.
 
Sep 28, 2025
18
Irwin 23ft Tamaroa
Ok but my boat doesn't have an inboard motor so what is that/those on mine? Any idea? I haven't had it off the trailer so im not sure if there is a swing keel.(the cable) the cable does go to a side winch in the cockpit area on the starboard side.just want to have an idea what these are for.thanks.
 
Jan 11, 2014
13,223
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
The Irwin 23 has a swing keel aka a centerboard. The cable is used to raise and lower the CB. You will have to trace the cable run to see where it goes and how Irwin designed the system.

The packing gland is necessary to prevent water from coming up into the boat as the cable that raises the CB exits below the waterline. There is not a specific Delrin rod gland. Glands have 2 measurements, the diameter of the shaft going through the gland and the diameter of the hose to which the gland attaches.

In the future, pleas start a new thread and keep all your questions about a problem on that thread. You have asked questions about this in 3 places. This will lead you to become even more confused and it annoys people who are trying to help you because there are multiple posts and the information can be unnecessarily repeated, which is a waste of time and effort.