rudder post leak

[ernie Johnston]

anyone have any experience repacking the rudder post. I think that is where my leaking is coming from in that I see a pretty good stream of water at the inspection plate area in the cabin. The stuffing box on the drive looks like it is not leaking.How difficult is it to repack the rudder post. can it be done while in the water? any help would be appreciated.thankscej

 

[Ken Palmer]

I did that on 1981 H33

When the photo forum archive is back, if not already, I recorded the steps with my digital camera. I was able to do it by myself, on the hard.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Thanx Ken.

That is great documentation and a real asset to the archives.Have you ever seen a ring compressor used to install a piston into an engine cylinder? Seems like you could apply the same theory. It would go around the flax and squeeze it to the right dimension. Then pound the stuffing nut down. The nut would push off the compression ring and hopefully catch a thread. Then screw the nut the rest of the way to seat the flax. On to the second flax ring. Just seems like there must be an easier way to get those rings up there.

 

[ernie Johnston]

Rudder post leaking

Thanks Ken. I would like to understand what is involved. I am taking water through the rudder post, looks like this would be a maintence item like the stuffing box but I asked other sailors and they had not had the problem. Could you send me pictures my email is ejohnston@gers.comthankscej