Must I replace the rudder stuffing???

[Tim McCarty]

Related somewhat to Ken Palmer's inquiry. Last fall, I dropped my rudder (to do some minor repairs-related to water in the rudder). After spending the winter replacing my cutlass bearing, installing a new prop shaft, and replacing the shaft stuffing (which, I promise, I will never attempt to do again!), I'm ready to re-install the rudder. PLEASE don't tell me that I must replace the stuffing in the rudder box! I'm 6'1" and 200 lbs. and can barely get back there to hook up the quadrant etc. etc. etc... Why can't I just stick the rudder in the hole and hook it up?

 

[Ken Palmer]

That's what I did last year

Dropping the rudder was loads of fun; especially digging that 2-foot hole under it. I re-installed the rudder without changing the stuffing last year, and I had a leak. Unable to loosen the lock-nut to tighten the packing nut, I lived with the drips all summer.This year I changed the packing. I am 6-foot and almost 200 pounds, and it was difficult to say the least. You might try to find a small mechanic to help you out on this one.Ken Palmer, S/V LibertyVisit LakeOntarioSailing.com linked below.

 

[Tim McCarty]

Thanks, Ken...

I guess I'll just need to get the 'ole pipe wrench out and go to work again!

 

[Howard]

This is what we had children for....

Every now and then I'm faced with a similar problem and am glad I have gads of kids to help with the tight stuff. My best helper is my son who had a knack for things marine. But he's 18 now and tops 6'2" even so he can still get into tight spots that I have trouble with. Some of them even have to do with my boat.

 

[Tim McCarty]

Yes, this, I'm sure, will be loads of fun...

I thought all of my troubles were over with the prop shaft, cutlass bearing, blah, blah, blah...Now I've got to figure out how to get to the stuffing box(without dislocating my shoulder). Taking the old stuff out shouldn't be too difficult...there is no rudder on the boat. I'm going to need to loosen the nut, take the old stuffing out, re-thread it, install the rudder, put the new stuffing in, hand tighten, give it a quarter turn with the pipe wrench, and I'm all set...sounds easy, doesn't it?