Rudder Stuffing box not connected to rudder tube

[John Bollinger]

Hello Everyone,Today I decieded to check the rudder stuffing box of my 1983 Catalina 30, I am looking for something that allows water to flow into my bildge while under way.Not just a little water but a few gallons each time.(thank goodness for the bildge pump)In checking the rudder stuffing box I can see that someone has adjusted the stuffing box down completely so that there is no split line between the two halfs.The entire stuffing box turns with the shaft, it has broken loose from the rudder tube. I am guessing that this may be the leak...or at least it needs repaired.My question is how hard is this to repair, I am hoping someone has been through this before me so that I don't have to invent a solution.I think I should be able to this with the boat in the water.If I need a new stuffing box I am thinking of making one out of stainless steel, does anyone have any thoughts on this( what alloy ??), also how do I reconnect the stuffing box to the rudder tube.What size, type and how many packing rings should go back in the thing, and last but not least what should the drip rate be set at. Thanks in advanceJack

 

[R.W.Landau]

Stuffing box

John,Is there not a flex connection between the box and the tube?What I think someone has done is to tighten the box to make sure it didn't leak. This made a very good compression fitting that bound the stuffing box to the shaft and thus caused it to breakloose from the tube.I do not know what size your packing material should be but normally 3 pieces placed so that the cuts are in different quadrants of the shaft. I would tighten till the drip rate just stopped. There should be no need for a drip rate in the rudder shaft, But don't over tighten it. It will compress the packing to the shaft so that the box turns with the shaft.As for the box to the tube I thought that it was similar to a prop shaft box that is connected from box to tube by means of a flex rubber hose and clamped on both side with two 300 series Stainless hose clamps. r.w.landau

 

[Chris ward]

Rudder Stuffing Box

I have a 1984 C-30 on which the rudder stuffing box also broke loose from the fiberglass rudder tube several years ago. It does leak large amounts of water underway. According to Catalina the stuffing box (which they call a packing gland) was origianlly glassed to the rudder tube. They suggested reglassing which would be difficult and messy in the confined space. My boat yard suggested rebedding with 3M 5200.I worked the stuffing box upwards a inch or so. Cleaned and lighlty sanded the exposed shaft of the box for best adhesion. "Buttered" the exposed shaft of the box with 5200. Lightly tapped the stuffing box back into position. Let it cure for a week. It has not leaked a drop since.You might want to check your rudder for excessive play. Mine is moderately worn. A cheap but good fix is to remove the rudder head in the cockpit and insert approx. 2" X 12" strips of stiff drafting film. This shims the upper rudder where most of the wear occurs.The shims wear but the repair is so cheap and easy it can be done every couple of seasons.

 

[Don]

Agree with Chris

Had the same problem on my c27, which I think is made the same. I did the same as Chris, except I used underwater epoxy. I did it with the boat in the water. I did not have to replace the packing, so I can't tell you what size. I tightened the collar bolts finger tight and then 1/4 turn with a wrench. No leaks after 2 years.

 

[Ron]

Rudder stuffing box repair

My stuffing box also came loose from the fiberglass stern tube. I repaired it by cutting the fiberglass stern tube down about 2", grinding a flange into the base of the stuffing box and installing a 3" of 4" piece of engine exhaust hose between the two pieces using double hose clamps (the arrangement is similar to the drive shaft original stuffing box arrangement). This system is very strong yet prevents breakage should your rudder hit anything.