Prop shaft

[John]

I have some water creeping in via the propellar shaft and I assume it is a packing issue. Correct assumption? Same assumption would be that it has to be hauled out to fix. I am having a drop or so of water every few seconds. Obviously not more than can be handled by the bilge pump. I should not let it wait too long though.

 

[Jerry]

Same Repair this Winter

I have a 1986-31' and had the same drip problem. I had run out of threads on the packing nut. Your bildge pump will run your battery down, so don't let this go on too long. If you can't turn the nut closer any more you most likely need new re-packing. Call Hunter tech service. They will fax you a cut sheet on your stuffing box detail showing the flax size and other parts that need to be re-installed as they came out. If your stuffing box has the metal ring in the back like mine did, yes you will need to pull the boat "or" have a real big pump ready!

 

[Steve Dion]

Can be re-packed in the water.

John:The pro's do this in the water all the time. It is fairly easy on the 31. If you are not comfortable you should just have someone do it for you.Here are the sizes of packing for the Hunters.What do you do to repack the stuffing in shaft boxes?When repacking stuffing for prop shaft boxes use1/4" packing on plastic stuffing boxes3/16" on bronze stuffing boxes with 1" shaft5/16" on bronze stuffing boxes with 1 1/4" shaftI would suggest that you switch over to Teflon packing if you are not going to install a dripless system. This way you will not have a drip while underway or not. If you use Teflon and it drip underway, you just tighten up a little (until it quits)

 

[Michael O']

Go PSS dripless

I went with the PSS dripless device years ago and never had another problem with water in the bilge.Even the best flax packing still needs to bleed water for lubrication and where does that water go? It slowly migrates to your bilge, but also spends plenty of time in the grid system at the bottom of your boat.Stop the water, stop the smell, stop the mold, go PSS.

 

[Robert Jagger]

Prop shaft flexible hose

I have just re-packed the stuffing box using teflon as recommended but am concerned about the flexible hose between the stuffing box and the prop shaft housing. Has anyone advice on how to check for wear and/or thoughts on what to do if this hose shears while underway? Any sort of emergency repair ideas?