New propshaft - need to replace 2 year old Gore-Tex dripless packing (GFO)?

[tmjb]

2 years ago I replaced the stuffing box on my new-to-me sailboat. I installed it with Gore-Tex virtually dripless (GFO) packing which I'd used with great success on my precious boat.

This spring I decided that I needed to replace the cutlass bearing and in the process ended up replacing the whole
propshaft with stainless.

My question is whether or not I need to replace the packing with the new shaft installation or can I just adjust the packing gland as usual?

Any thoughts advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[LakeOntario270]

I would replace it since
Boat is out of the water
Only a few dollars for new GFO.

 

[dlochner]

Some things just aren't worth cheating on. Replace the packing, it's relatively cheap as boat parts go.

 

[tmjb]

Many thanks for the prompt replies.

You're right of course. I was just hoping people might say that it was no problem to use the prior packing and save that work.

Anyway, It's now In progress.

 

[Tally Ho]

I replaced my old bronze shaft out this winter, reused the stuffing box, but replaced the stuffing box hose and repacked the gland. I repacked mine before I reassembled everything.

I used the old style flax as I thought I read maybe the graphite was not compatible with SS. Besides, my ship store did not have any GFO packing.

Will see how the old style flax holds up. I used GFO with the old bronze shaft and it worked great.

Greg