Shaft Packing Material

[John T1594]

I went to order some new packing material for my stuffing box and there are some new developments since I last ordered some. I have been using Gore GFO packing for a number of years and am very happy with the performance and durability of the material. Neither West marine nor Defender sell Gore GFO packing but carry a a new product, GTU packing that is a mix of "Gore" fibers and graphite. Does anyone know about the new packing? I can order the Gore GFO directly from Gore but always looking for information on new and potentially "better"(?) products.

 

[rogerlwhite]

I went to order some new packing material for my stuffing box and there are some new developments since I last ordered some. I have been using Gore GFO packing for a number of years and am very happy with the performance and durability of the material. Neither West marine nor Defender sell Gore GFO packing but carry a a new product, GTU packing that is a mix of "Gore" fibers and graphite. Does anyone know about the new packing? I can order the Gore GFO directly from Gore but always looking for information on new and potentially "better"(?) products.

I have used it on my boat for three years now. No drips when stopped, no drips when underway. I tightened the stuffing box just enough to stop the drip underway and then checked the stuffing box temperature... cool to the touch. I know you're supposed to have a drip or two a minute underway, but I dislike unnecessary moisture on the inside of the boat. Shaft spins freely. No problems to date. Will buy again if it ever wears out.

Roger

 

[CalebD]

On Maine Sail's tutorial pages about stuffing boxes he says: "GTU is a knock off of Gore GFO and frays worse." http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box&page=2

That said, I used some 3/16" GTU this season and found it to be very much like the GFO stuff. I believe it is a tad cheaper too.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Order Ultra X as Maine Sail suggests, here: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=775788&highlight=stuffing box

 

[higgs]

Mu understanding that the new stuff should not drip even underway. As long as you can touch the stuffing box while underway you are not too tight. That is what I have heard.

 

[Stu Jackson]

higgs, pretty close, but please read the link I provided in the last post. I think MS touches on "dripless" as a concept.