Stuffer box maintenance question

J

Jimongee

.
Jun 17, 2012
203
C&C 35 MKIII Manitowoc, WI
I have a 2002 356. It has never seen salt weather. We sail every summer on the Great Lakes. I have never done any maintenance on the stuffer box seal. I do always monitor the drip lubrication rate though. Some sailors are now telling me I should repack the seal. They said this should be done every 2 years. Does anyone have some thoughts on when to and when not to repack?
Thanks
SV SamiDog
 
Warren Milberg

Warren Milberg

.
Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
As with most things with a sailboat, "it all depends." It depends on what kind of material is currently in the gland, when it was put in there, the condition of the shaft, the condition of gland, how many hours the boat is used, etc. If you are frequently checking the drip rate, you'll know when it's time to repack the gland. To me, that is usually when you can no longer keep the rate to a few drops per minute with the engine in gear and no drip at all when the engine is off or out of gear by tightening the compression nut.
 
Terry Cox

Terry Cox

.
Dec 25, 2000
5,944
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Usually repack ours about every ten years. Two years way too often IMHO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom