leaking rudder stuffing box

[howie geismar]

My hunter 33 sloophas a leaking rudder stuffing box.I've tried everything to try and loosen the nuts ,buthave accomplished nothing. If you have ever tackled this problem,I'd appreciate any tips you could give me. Frustrated in Patchogue

 

[Ken Palmer]

Harold, I have a question

You mentioned installing a couple turns of packing material between the rudder shaft and the tube "under the water". That "under the water" bit is my question. Are you talking about trying to fit the packing in from the outside of the boat while it is in the water? That sounds pretty difficult knowing that the space between the top of the rudder and the hull of the boat at the rudder post is only 1/2 inch or so. How in the world would you ever get anything into that small space, then be able to shove it upwards into the small space left in the tube?I hope that I have totally misunderstood your comment. As for removing the nut(s) on the stuffing box and having them custom made, that sounds like another wonderful job.Maybe I'll let my H33 rudder stuffing box leak for another year.I remember taking some photos of that area last year. I'll try to dig them out to post.Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty

 

[Harold]

Ken, I was told. . ..

Ken, While cruising, I met a fellow with "our" problem. He explained a method he used that had stopped the leak for seven months since installation. He said he coated a "packing" material (not prop shaft packing) with teflon and caulk. Then by rotating the rudder shaft back and forth, he forced the packing around the shaft two or three times inside of the tube. He said he did this in the water not on the "hard". Any suggestions on the packing material,eg. thin nylon cord, monofilament line, ?

 

[Sam Lust]

Wishful thinking!

A standard rudder on a 33 fits up very closely to the "fin" (I can't figure out what else to call it). The clearance between the rudder stock and tube should be less than 3/32", preferably less than 1/32". Flax packing material falls apart if you look at it cross-eyed before it is installed. How on earth are you going to cram it or any other material around a right angle bend and make it go up into a tiny space? I can't even figure a way to get a tool in there. Even if you could get something in there, the working of the rudder would probably work it right back out. Fergetit. Pop that nut off and pack it right!