How tight?

[tcrespo]

I'm sure this has been answered before, and I've searched the archives, but I need to ask. 78 Hunter 27 with the SB8 Yanmar. Just got the boat and I'm fixing up all the things that the prior owner never got to. The packing on the shaft was very loose when I bought it and dripping pretty good. I've got it down now to where it drips about twice per minute with the engine off, and maybe 4 times a minute when running. I can turn the shaft by hand with some effort (it's not spinning freely - takes a little bit of force to spin it). Motor seems to be running fine and the prop spins in gear.So - since it's dripping with the motor off (too much) and maybe not dripping enough when it's running, do I have this thing adjusted wrong? I'm worried about too much friction with the motor on (should it really spin freely by hand) and don't want to end up with the packing gushing out and a big leak.Any input is greatly appreciated!Regards,Tom

 

[Rich (P303)]

dunno...

but if you rip it all out and repack with the dripless stuff... you know what you have and won't have to worry. As long that it is not hot to the touch after running for and hour or so... warm is O.K..

 

[Richard19068]

just replace it

As the prior post says, you don't want to tighten it to the extent it gets hot.If the prior owner never got around to things, its most likely that repacking is one of those things. You might as well just go ahead and do it and use the Gore packing material. You'll have to do it sooner than later anyway.

 

[bffatcat]

Stuffing Box

Adjust it so It drips about 1 drop a minute with the engine off. That should be enough to keep things cool. While its running, Put it in neutral and put your hand on the gland if its not to hot to the touch your ready to go. Ifits to hot but only dripping one drop a minute when not running I would re packit. Not a big deal as long as you can get to it.,

 

[CalebD]

As others have said...

If you over tighten it you could damage the shaft. You also do not know what shape the current stuffing flax is in so you should just replace it and have peace of mind. The GFO packing is available here: http://www.emarineinc.com/products/gfopacking/packing.html

 

[tcrespo]

In or out of the water?

It seems like this is obvious, but can this be done with the boat in the water? We've got a severe drought here and I have no plans to pull the boat anytime soon (water is too low and they'd have to use a crane to get it out at this point). Is this one of those things that I can just plan ahead, make sure the pumps are working okay, and then knock out before the boat sinks?

 

[Stu Jackson]

higgs, time to give 'em the link to

Rodd's website, I don't have it.

 

[Cap'n Ron]

Packing Flux

Actually your packing sounds just about right, a drip every 10-15 seconds or if you are NOT using the yacht, tighten it up to zero. I tightend mine up recently, easy to get to, so I could sleep better at night.This is not a real huge deal, the shaft (cannot be certain without seeing it) is not being 'held back' from too much friction of the packing flux. Don't forget you are turning a prop in a dense medium too.Turning a prop by hand while the vessel is OUT of the water is not that easy either but is much easier than whilst in water.Changing the flux inside the packing gland is not hard, and is commonly done while the boat is in water. Yes, it will leak, but just be prepared and get it in there, you do not have to take it all out. Some do but is not really necessary. Best to use a dental tool with the 'hook' stainless type, this will hook and you can pull most of it right out then replace MOST of it with new.Cheers...;-)

 

[Benny]

Just check the temperature. The gland should

just be warm to the touch. If it feels hot is too tight. I would not worry about a small drip when the shaft is not turning unless the gland is getting hot then it would need to be repacked.

 

[tcrespo]

As always - thanks!

Thanks to all that replied - very much appreciated. I'll check the temp of the shaft today (heading out - 60 degrees and around 8 knots of wind predicted). If it's cool and dripping lightly, I'll let it go until the lake comes up and I can get the boat out easier. I do like the idea of tighting it up for extended periods of non-use. Anything that helps me sleep a little better at night (it's amazing the nightmares you can have about your boat when you worry too much)!Tom

 

[higgs]

Stu

I don't have that site handy either. It was a good one to show how it was done, but I didn't save it.

 

[higgs]

Check this out

TcrespoIf you decide to repack, here is a linkhttp://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_boxConsider using GTU packing. With this packing you are supposed to be able to adjust it so you get no drips even under power. You determine if you are too tight by feeling the nut - if iat is not too hot to touch you are OK. I did find, that I needed to re adjust the nut after a few weeks as it began dripping again, but then it was fine for the rest of the season.