Hi guys,
Today I implemented the strategies several of you were kind enough to suggest. First the stuffing paper towels in every crevice.....No results with that.
Second, cover the engine with talcum power....Again, no results.
This time I had my son with me and my frustration seemed to be very entertaining to him. He stopped me and indicated what he noticed while I was about to remove the heat exchanger for examination.
Just to port of the stuffing box, the hull begins its rise under the cabin floor. Under there, he noticed a 4x4, partially glassed starting at the point at where the stuffing box is, and going back to the stern. He also pointed out that if I move the flashlight back and forth at the end of the 4x4, a wet shine appears to be winding forward through the imperfections of the fiberglass of the hull. This water, partially hidden, here and there, travels to the aft engine mount and down into the oil pan pit!! Sunofabitch!! Once I stopped cursing my stupidity and stubbornness, I realized that a couple of you guys were absolutely correct in advising me to check the rudder packing. Since I had run out of time, I buttoned everything up and we went home. I later researched on this site and found one sailor that had exactly the same symptoms, (about a gallon of water in the bilge while running about an hour or so). He found his rudder post packing to be failing and simply changed it out......
So, Tuesday I will again visit my boat, examine the rudder stuffing and probably proceed with repacking.
I am finding that as I age, (now 75), I am becoming more stubborn, but fully realize that we NEVER stop learning.
Thank you all for your assistance and replies and Happy Sailing!!
Ralph
Today I implemented the strategies several of you were kind enough to suggest. First the stuffing paper towels in every crevice.....No results with that.
Second, cover the engine with talcum power....Again, no results.
This time I had my son with me and my frustration seemed to be very entertaining to him. He stopped me and indicated what he noticed while I was about to remove the heat exchanger for examination.
Just to port of the stuffing box, the hull begins its rise under the cabin floor. Under there, he noticed a 4x4, partially glassed starting at the point at where the stuffing box is, and going back to the stern. He also pointed out that if I move the flashlight back and forth at the end of the 4x4, a wet shine appears to be winding forward through the imperfections of the fiberglass of the hull. This water, partially hidden, here and there, travels to the aft engine mount and down into the oil pan pit!! Sunofabitch!! Once I stopped cursing my stupidity and stubbornness, I realized that a couple of you guys were absolutely correct in advising me to check the rudder packing. Since I had run out of time, I buttoned everything up and we went home. I later researched on this site and found one sailor that had exactly the same symptoms, (about a gallon of water in the bilge while running about an hour or so). He found his rudder post packing to be failing and simply changed it out......
So, Tuesday I will again visit my boat, examine the rudder stuffing and probably proceed with repacking.
I am finding that as I age, (now 75), I am becoming more stubborn, but fully realize that we NEVER stop learning.
Thank you all for your assistance and replies and Happy Sailing!!
Ralph