Stuffing box flax size
- Thread starter Ink Dude
- Start date
- Status
Most Catalinas with 1" shafts like yours use 3/16", although some have reportedly used 1/4". Most of us suggest buying both and returning what you don't use. If you use the Ultra X recommended by Maine Sail, it comes in precut lengths so you can't return it, but for what you'll need, like a few feet, it's not that much $$ and you can make a friend on your dock who uses the size you don't need by donating or selling it to the lucky skipper. 
Appreciate the reply. Thank you and look forward to a dryer bilgeMost Catalinas with 1" shafts like yours use 3/16", although some have reportedly used 1/4". Most of us suggest buying both and returning what you don't use. If you use the Ultra X recommended by Maine Sail, it comes in precut lengths so you can't return it, but for what you'll need, like a few feet, it's not that much $$ and you can make a friend on your dock who uses the size you don't need by donating or selling it to the lucky skipper.
Yes. Why? You need three rings, 1 inch diameter is about 3" each one, so 9" for three, say a foot for a full repack with sloppy cutting. With the cost of shipping being flat for this kind of purchase, I buy a few year's worth. I got 15 years out of the 1998 old green goop with teflon stuffing flax. Why bother ordering twice or more? Just my approach, to have backups on board, but it would seem to be a shame in finding the stuff, writing down what it was I bought, then have to go through paying for postage two or three years from now (and we leave our boat in the water 24/7 - for those who haul, I suggest repacking when resplashed, since the stuff does dry out when on the hard for more than three weeks - at least in my experience).
Hope this helps the math.
Hope this helps the math.
Hmm, I just did a C30 with a one inch shaft, and used 1/4". I was a repower as well to a Y3-30 from an A4 I think..
I did the job yesterday. There was a bit of water coming through the stern tube but nothing to cause concern. The worst was getting out the old flax. I had read some comments and had an array of tools to gouge out the old stuff (pardon the pun). Went well and I am pleased with the job. Bought 2 lengths from WM and will keep one for next season. The insight was much appreciated.
I just had mine restuffed professionally and the guy left me wondering because he said he did it loosely (I guess to allow for expansion when I launch the boat). Only probem is that I have no idea how you tighten it up if it's too loose and I am taking on water. Can anyone advise me about how I go about tightening it if necessary?
Loosen the lock nut (thin nut towards the prop). Tighten the larger nut by hand them you may need to use a wrench to give another half turn. Spin the lock nut back and tighten the two together to stop working loose.
There may be the odd drip, and should be a few drips per minute when the shaft runs.
- Status