Leak at shaft

[ukrsindicat]

I am on the market to buy a boat. I had zeroed on this 1968 Newport 30'. As you can imaging I am very concerned with the age of the boat. My worries are worsened by the seller slipping up and telling me than he has to keep the bilge pump in auto because boat picks up about "three drops a minute"(according to him) through the "inboard-outboard"(propeller shaft bushing). He said this is normal, he also said that a boat is very solid and has about 3" think fiberglass hull.

Should I be concerned about this leak?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

If he is referring to the prop shaft stuffing box, that is what it is supposed to do. You would have reason for concern if it did not leak

 

[zeehag]

wow!! what he^^^^^^ said...LOL......there are a few with dripless packing but most donot have that--the usual amount of drip is about 3 drops per minute--you are just fine and awesome--did you take pix of the deep places ye cannot see into?? helps to have a digital camera so ye can see what is trying to sneak away from view....