Stern tube plugging

[ricksoth]

Hey Outboard powered sailors...

Now that my dead diesel is out of my Cal 27 and the Honda outboard providing motoring needs, I'm starting to plan on the best approach to removing the shaft and dealing with the shaft log / stuffing box / shaft strut when next on the hard.

My thoughts are:

• Pull the shaft ---
  • Option 1: Cut off the shaft so that I have a 3-6" stub and epoxy that into the stuffing box gland nut with the packing removed. Then maybe glass & epoxy over the outside of the gland nut for added security.
  • Option 2: Remove the gland nut and find a CAP nut of some type with the same threads and screw it down to the stuffing box with nylon sealing tape, and then back-tighten the gland nut locked ring.
  • Option 3: Remove the stuffing box completely. Accessing this is harder since it's partially under flooring. Then find some type of plug setup:
    • Maybe there is a stuffing-box type rubber cover for hose clamps that have a cap or closed face
    • Maybe create KingStar / TACO type plug that can be epoxy coated and used to plug the opening
  • Option 4: Grind the hull bottom at the opening, cover with glass and epoxy and create a "fake bottom" panel to seal water out of the entire area - this seems expensive and not worth the grief
• Remove the shaft strut
  • The bolts holding the strut to the hull are under the flooring and access is a PITA. So removing the base and plugging the bolt holes seems like a waste of effort. Instead:
  • Sawzall the strut (bronze I assume) off it's mounting plate and file that down before painting over it. The base and bolts can stay in the unlikely event it was ever desired again.

Thoughts?

 

[dLj]

How long do you foresee owning this boat?

If you are thinking you'd never sell it and never want to put the diesel engine back in, the most permante removal method would be best.

If you can foresee selling, then the easiest for the next owner to put a new engine may be preferred.

Anything you do to the strut will make that second option rather difficult.

dj

 

[Tally Ho]

I don’t like option 1, trying to glass the old shaft into place…I would think the SS would expand/contract differently than fiberglass, and would be constantly cracking. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Glassing over the underside of the hull, could work, ut I would be worried about water getting captured in the interior void, and cracking in the winter. It sounds like it is a hard place to get into (or to check to see if it is dry.

If you could find a cap to screw on to replace the packing nut, that would seem pretty decent option.

If you ever want to sell the boat, this will be a big drawback though as @dLj said. Maybe leave the strut in place in case you want to replace the engine/shaft at some time in the future.

Greg

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Consider disposing of the gland and replacing it with a bronze plug in the hose.

Be sure the hose is in reasonable condition before doing this.