Stuffer box maintenance question

[Jimongee]

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]

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]

Usually repack ours about every ten years. Two years way too often IMHO.

 

[Jimongee]

Thanks. That all makes sense