Standard stuffing box seal repacking?

[Woodworks1]

The photo below is a store bought line wrench.
The reason for using a flare nut wrench/line wrench on the stuffing box nut is because the open end wrench can deform the stuffing box nut because it is a kind of a flare nut.
I has had to be adjustable frequently for over five years.

Hope for the best plan for the worst.

 

[Woodworks1]

Can I shorten or length the stuffing box hose to move the stuffing box packing to new spot on the prop shaft if it’s has wear of more than .05 inches? I have the original bronze prop shaft.

Hope for the best plan for the worst.

 

[Tally Ho]

Can I shorten or length the stuffing box hose to move the stuffing box packing to new spot on the prop shaft if it’s has wear of more than .05 inches? I have the original bronze prop shaft.

Hope for the best plan for the worst.

Yes, you can do that if you have room. You don’t want to go so short that the stuffing box is close to or touching the shaft log (the fiberglass tube the hose is mounted on. And you dont want it so long your stuffing box is no longer supported by the hose, and instead is riding on the shaft all of the time.

In the end, you should really inspect the shaft carefully. When I pulled mine out a few years ago, not only were there wear areas, but there were also circumferential cracks in the shaft.

That was enough for me to bite the bullet and get a new shaft, coupling, and eventually a Volvo shaft seal…

Greg

 

[jssailem]

. I am with Greg. It is possible.

Yet such action may leave you open to unforeseen risks.
Here are some images of what I saw on my 49-year-old shaft when I started to change the stuffing box flax. I had the engine out of the boat for a rebuild. I could thoroughly inspect the shaft. (Not easy when the engine is in place.)

Just a minor pitting condition.
The shaft looks shiny. It is 1 and 3/8 inches thick.


I sail in open water, miles from safe harbors, occasionally.

This is what I discovered when I moved the shaft and exposed more of the area that was in the stuffing box.

I was not about to put my boat at risk of a lost prop and shaft.

I installed a new shaft and replaced the stuffing box with a dripless shaft seal.

It is your boat and you use it in your waters. Let that guide you as to what is best for your situation.

 

[Woodworks1]

Thanks for the information it is always welcome.
I haven’t inspected the shaft other than the section between the stuffing box and the transmission, that looks fine no discoloration from heat, but I will know more when I repack the stuffing box.
I sail on a 25,000 acre inland lake and run the engine 5 minutes out and back. Same slip same lake for 42 years as the two owners before me and they didn’t use it much.

 

[jssailem]

I’m going to throw this out there, sounds like you real don’t need an engine. It is convenient. You really could sail in and out.
Your boat your waters dictate what is necessary.

 

[Woodworks1]

Yes, and under favorable, conditions, I could sailing in and out or just into the dock
I think that Mr. Hardiman has summed up the dilemma of docking a 30 foot sailboat under sail in the statement that he coined about how a sailboat works.
(There is no "lift"...there is only "drag" in the direction you want to go.)

There is no "lift"!

Ok, I understand it is an "in your face" title...but it is one of my soapboxes/touchstones that I came to an understanding with many years ago... So...

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