Separated rudder post stuffing box

[Paul Webb]

The rudder stuffing box is no longer bonded to the fiberglass tube. The stuffing box wiggles a little underway, and when motoring a substantial inflow of water occurs, very little when sailing at the same speeds as motoring. I'd like to try repairing it myself. Any experiences or advice (including that I would be nuts to try this) would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Don]

Stuffing Box

Happened on my C27. I moved all loose equipment forward and filled 2 trash cans with water on the bow. This lifted the stern so water would not shoot up the tube while I was working on it. I pulled the stuffing box up the rudder shaft and cleaned inside with a Q-tip and denatured alcohol. Applied 5200 to the box and installed it back in tube. Let 5200 cure for a full 3 days. No problems so far.

 

[Bob Moretti]

Can rapair this without worrying about water enter

I also have a C30 and have made this repair more than once. Originally, the stuffing box was joined to the rudder tube with a bit of epoxy.On the C30, you can repair this with the boat in the water without counterbalancing weights. Water will come in only if the stern gets significantly lower, as happens when motoring above a certain speed.I have made the repair once with Marine Tex (worked okay) and once with epoxy putty (didn't hold). I think the idea of using 3M 5200 is actually a good one, though I think I'd use 4200 instead, as it is more easily removed if necessary.

 

[Lou14635]

hose clamp

I had a slight movement of the stuffing box on my c30. My brother suggested putting a hose clamp on it, so I tried it. It tightened it right up, and so far has been a good fix. Did this about a year ago.

 

[Bob Moretti]

Hose clamp on fiberglass rudder tube??

Lou,Just to be sure: Did you place a very large hose clamp around the fiberglass rudder tube to hold the lower part of the stuffing box in place? Weren't you worried about cracking the fiberglass?

 

[Paul Webb]

Thanks - job done

Thanks for the advice - it was terrific. I did the fix this weekend. The ease with which the packing gland slid up the rudder post, though, suggests I may now need to repack the gland. Paul

 

[Paul Webb]

Thanks - the job is done

THanks - terrific advice - I did the job this weekend. The ease with which the packing gland slid up the rudder post makes me think I'll need to repack the gland now. Paul

 

[Lou14635]

hose clamp on fiberglass

Bob,Yes I did put a hose clamp on fiberglass. The tube was faily tight on the stuffing box with just ever so slight a movement when the wheel was turned. The clamp tightened the tube around the stuffing box with no cracking of the glass. Had there been more play in the stuffing box, I probably would have pulled it and gone the 5200 route.