Rudder packing gland?

[Gary Kunkel]

We have a 1988 Catalina 30 (hull 5075). I've often heard people talk of a packing gland for the rudder post (even see them listed in catalogs), but ours doesn't seem to have one. I thought it may be somewhat too tight and cause stiff steering, but after examining everything I can, there is no evidence that our boat has any type of packing gland or stuffing box anywhere on/in the rudder tube. All I can see is a fiberglass tube in which the rudder post fits. I've examined the top of the tube several times by removing the steering quadrant (actually it's a radial) but still no packing gland. Removing the aft inspection opening just reveals the rudder tube. Any thoughts? Do 1988 Catalina 30 not have 'em? We have no problems with leaks or anything of the kind ... just steering that seems stiff for no discernable reason.We've removed and adjusted the cables, re-tensioned them several times, lubed the cables and idler wheels, removed the rudder and had it checked for true ... and still the steering is very stiff. The boat yard can't find the cause, so I was interested in seeing whether a packing gland could be the culprit. However, we either don't have one or I can't find it.Anyone with any hints, clues, or suggestions???Sailing is great (was this Saturday, in fact) even with the steering stiffness.Regards,Gary KunkelChannel Islands Hbr., CA

 

[Gaspare]

C30 '77 packing gland

I had to re-pack the packing gland a few years ago on my '77 C30. I noticed as I motored the bilge was filling up. The packing gland is located on the rubber right above where it breaks out of the hull. It looks just like a horizontal stuffing box on the rudder post. I can't imagine your boat not having one. Maybe they did something different on the newer boats?? I also had a stiff steering problem that turned out to be the steering cables. One of them actually wore through the sheave and was "sawing" on fiberglass under the pedestal.

 

[Tom Behrendt]

rudder packing gland

Gary,We have a C-30 (#6011), a 91 model. I, like you, can find no evidence ofa packing gland. I also don't see reference to one in the owners' manual. There are drain openings in the inspection compartment which empty into the bilge area.Perhaps you have already tried this, but you could remove the stearing cables from the rudder and see if the rudder moves freely. The stiffness maybe in the pedestal?Tom Behrendt

 

[Don]

Rudder stuffing box

You probably have one, but it doesn't look anything like your prop shaft stuffing box. Check out link. If you find it, don't tighten it unless it leaks. If it is too tight it will break the bond at the fiberglass tube and cause you more problems.