Stuffing Box (Packing Gland) Leaking…

[SailorElliot]

Hello,

I just noticed that my stuffing box (aka “packing gland”) started leaking with around 1 drop every 12 seconds with the engine off, and 1 drop every 3-5 seconds with it on. I looked at the boat survey from when the last owner bought it, and it seems as if it has not been replaced since 10 or more years ago!

We are leaving on vacation for a week on Thursday, June 31st (off the boat), and I am worried that the engine drip tray may overflow and the engine and teak floors will be ruined.

Is it worth an immediate haul out, or will it be fine (for around a week)?

Thanks,
Elliot

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Just tighten it. Short-term solution.

 

[JoeWhite]

Yes, tighten the nut by 1/2 turn. I would not advise it, some owners replace the flax while in water.

 

[sail sfbay]

At some point you might have to replace the packing as discussed in this article: Servicing Your Stuffing Box | BoatUS

 

[Terry Cox]

Is it worth an immediate haul out, or will it be fine (for around a week)?

As Don mentioned, hand tighten the stuffing box and see whether the drip stops; it should. If the drip slows, tighten it another quarter turn. That should stop it, even though the material was replaced ten years ago. I replace ours every seven years and even after that length of time, it still looks like new.

 

[jssailem]

"leaving on vacation for a week on Thursday, June 31st (off the boat)"
Which year does that happen in. My calendar is out of date....

Yes to tighten up the nuts... You can also wrap string around the shaft and snug it up to reduce the drip. Make sure the bilge pump is set and battery is charged. Just like with a puppy, you can ask a friend to check on the boat and feed the pump....

 

[Davidasailor26]

I’d tighten it just a little now and worry about replacing after your trip or in the off season. Make sure you still have a periodic drip when the engine is running even after it’s tightened.

Even if it’s bottomed out now and you can’t get it to stop dripping I wouldn’t worry about it doing any serious harm when you’re away for a week, as long as you have a decent bilge pump and battery /charging capacity.

 

[tfox2069]

We are leaving on vacation for a week on Thursday, June 31st (off the boat), and I am worried that the engine drip tray may overflow and the engine and teak floors will be ruined.

Good advice above on what to do immediately. But I'm concerned about your comment I quoted above. Tell us how your boat is set up, but on mine the prop shaft drips into a separate pan from the engine, and that has a drain which goes to the bilge, where the bilge pump can evacuate the water if it builds up. If your prop shaft is dripping into the engine pan, which should NOT have a drain to the bilge (so you don't pump coolant and oil and diesel overboard if it leaks), that seems like a significant issue to be resolved.

 

[SailorElliot]

Good advice above on what to do immediately. But I'm concerned about your comment I quoted above. Tell us how your boat is set up, but on mine the prop shaft drips into a separate pan from the engine, and that has a drain which goes to the bilge, where the bilge pump can evacuate the water if it builds up. If your prop shaft is dripping into the engine pan, which should NOT have a drain to the bilge (so you don't pump coolant and oil and diesel overboard if it leaks), that seems like a significant issue to be resolved.

My propshaft drips to the engine drip tray (pan). There is also a purposeful hole under the propshaft that lets water to the bilge. It is kind of a mix of both of those, so both areas get water.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, tighten the nut by 1/2 turn.

That's way too much for starters. Try 1/8 turn at a time.

Here's more how tos:

Repacking a Stuffing Box 101 - by Maine Sail: Re-Packing A traditional Stuffing Box There are also lots of articles in the C34 Tech wiki. Stuffing box - c34.org

 

[tfox2069]

My propshaft drips to the engine drip tray (pan). There is also a purposeful hole under the propshaft that lets water to the bilge. It is kind of a mix of both of those, so both areas get water.

Trying to picture that in my head. On my boat the prop shaft comes out of the back of the transmission, which is bolted to the back of the engine, and isn't anywhere close to under the motor, where the engine drip tray sits. I guess there's nothing else to be done at this point beyond slowly tightening the nuts until the drip JUST stops while the prop shaft is at rest.

 

[SailorElliot]

Some engine part (forgot what it is) is sitting above the stuffing box to make room for a flushable toilet system which makes it impossible to tighten without hauling it out (at least our mechanic says so).

 

[jssailem]

Well, beyond the tightening and the asking a friend to watch your boat for a week, the only sure fire way to protect her till you get back is to haul her out and live on the hard while you take you vacation. Then when you return you can do the work needed with the stuffing box and re launch her.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Got picture?

 

[Richard19068]

Some engine part (forgot what it is) is sitting above the stuffing box to make room for a flushable toilet system which makes it impossible to tighten without hauling it out (at least our mechanic says so).

It's hard to imagine that it couldn't at least be adjusted (maybe not repacked) in the water. After repacking you always need to adjust a bit after running in in the water. An eighth to a quarter turn should be plenty.

But if you can't adjust it, in Marina del Rey I assume you are at a dock with power. Do you not have an automatic bilge pump?

Even without an automatic pump a drip every 12 seconds is less than a gallon of water over 7 days. Your bilge should be able to handle that. I thought Flicka's had deep bilge sumps for 20 footers.

 

[SailorElliot]

It's hard to imagine that it couldn't at least be adjusted (maybe not repacked) in the water. After repacking you always need to adjust a bit after running in in the water. An eighth to a quarter turn should be plenty.

But if you can't adjust it, in Marina del Rey I assume you are at a dock with power. Do you not have an automatic bilge pump?

Even without an automatic pump a drip every 12 seconds is less than a gallon of water over 7 days. Your bilge should be able to handle that. I thought Flicka's had deep bilge sumps for 20 footers.

Yes, I have an automatic bilge pump, but I would likely still ruin the engine and teak floors.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Yes, I have an automatic bilge pump, but I would likely still ruin the engine and teak floors.

I really wouldn’t worry about that rate of drip. Richard is right and it’s not much water at all in a week. Even if the shaft throws the water some distance when it’s spinning, when it’s sitting still it really should be designed to have the water drip to the bilge somehow.

 

[Tally Ho]

Photos would be really helpful…

hard to believe you cannot get a wrench on the packing nut without removing part of the engine.…

I don’t think I would be too worried about it for a week vacation, as long as you have a working bilge pump and shire power to keep the batts charged…water should not get above the floor boards.

Greg

 

[Richard19068]

Yes, I have an automatic bilge pump, but I would likely still ruin the engine and teak floors.

Wow, sorry to hear that. I've never heard of a boat where the bilge pump wouldn't clear enough nusiance water to keep it from damaging the engine or floor. Odd setup.

Out of curiosity, is the transmiission a V-Drive? That could be a factor making it difficult to access the stuffing box.