Hello all, Tis the season to check those packing glands and stern bearings. (cutlass bearings) Keep in mind that if your vessel is hauled out for the winter, your packing material may have dried out. You may want to consider having it looked at or possibly repacked while the boat is still out of the water. The same holds true for the stern bearing. A simple check while the boat is out will help to reduce the likelihood of having to haul the boat back out for a change. A way to check the stern bearings is to lift the shaft up by the propeller by hand, to see if the shaft bounces in the rubber. If you hear a thump thump as you shack the shaft, you will hear it when you are motoring. Second packing gland to be checked is your rudderpost gland. Often overlooked but equally as important as the shaft gland. It is however easier then the propeller shaft gland to replace once in the water. My office is starting to get a huge amount of phone calls for our advice on all topics from all over the country so as ideas and solutions come up, I will post some them. Of coarse the advice is often worth as mush as we pay. Good luck to all. Only three weeks until spring! Kevin