Stuffing Box Dilemna

[Paul Tomey]

Now I know from reading and talking with several people that the stuffing box needs to drip a little when the prop is engaged but I've got a twist on this story that I haven't come across on this web site. I was getting too much leaking every time I took my boat out so a tightened the nut down a few turns so it just stopped leaking at the dock (engine off). After tightening the lock nut, I motored for about 30 minutes but no drips so it's too tight right? As soon as I shut off the motor and put up the sails, the drips started up. This is from the motion of the boat causing the prop to turn from the current. It's more like a leak though, about 2 cups per hour.Has anyone else had this happen?

 

[Ed Tamara]

lock your prop

You should lock your prop in reverse and it will add years to your transmission and your intake of water will be reducedgood luckEd

 

[Ed Schenck]

Something is wrong.

If I understand, you have it adjusted so that there are no drips when motoring but lots of drips when sailing? Are you adjusting a stuffing box that you repacked? Or is this someone else's packing? I would start from scratch with two rings of teflon packing and fill in between with the new dripless packing. Then you can adjust for no drips, motoring or sailing. Hopefully it is not a worn shaft problem.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

It may be as simple .......................

....... as old hard packing which defies any logic as to why it leaks now and not then.Regards,s/v Island Hunter

 

[Paul T.]

In Response to "Lock Your Prop"

Do you mean shift the trans into reverse while sailing? Why is this beneficial?ThanksPT

 

[David Foster]

Avoids turning tranny without lube

Our h27's do not have lubrication on the transmission unless the engine is on. Stopping the shaft in reverse prevents unlubricated wear on the transmission.Probably little or no advantage in drag for the turning prop.