I've been having an interesting spring launch season. It all started with my idea to be proactive and re-pack the stuffing box on my boat before launching. The packing nut was turned down quite far and I wasn’t sure how long it would last. I had trouble with the threads not catching once I got the new packing material installed. With friends help I managed to get the packing nut re-installed and seemed to be done with the job. Upon closer examination we discovered that the packing nut wasn’t leaking but there was a leak from where the rubber hose attached to the stern tube. In mucking around with the packing nut we some how messed up the seal between the hose and the fiberglass stern tube. We tried: - repositioning the hose and re-tightening the two clamps, - removing the hose and making sure no debris were between the hose and the tube and re-installing, - adding a third hose clamp to the set and tightening, and the hose still leaks! The only other thing we could think of was to wrap the stern tube with rubber tape or mast boot tape to try to create a better sealing surface and then re-installing the hose to the tube. I'm not sure if that is a good idea? I’m looking for ideas to get me through this season. I’ve ordered a new packing gland from Hunter and will replace it at the next haul out. I sail on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, so the sailing season isn’t all that long that I want to waste any of it worrying about a leaking stuffing box. So far, the leak has gotten me to visit my boat more often during the week to verify it’s still floating, but it hasn’t helped me to sleep peacefully at night. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Skip Loofboro S/V Hope Four