Stuffing box/shaft log hose longevity

[Paul Cossman]

My 1991 model Hunter has never had its shaft log/stuffing box hose replaced. It looks perfectly intact. Is there a recommended lifetime to such hoses? Should it be replaced as a matter of ordinary maintenance, or can I expect many more years of trouble-free service from the hose if it looks fine?

I don't mind the expense, but it is obviously a hassle to replace, since it must be done on the hard, and I need to detach the propeller shaft.

Thanks,
Paul.

 

[DannyS]

I had the same question this spring. Our O'day 35 probably had the original shaft log hose so I decided to replace it while I was replacing the cutlass bearing. I'd have the shaft out anyway. The hose looked fine but I like the piece of mind knowing it's new.

 

[Prime Time]

Simple repair

I changed mine on my 1981 Mirage 27 in 2006 since I had access to it. The old one seemed OK. I had one fail on my dad's boat, so I thought I would do the replacement. (It was easy enough to repair temporarily with some plastic bags, duct tape and hose clamps. Silicon rescue tape would be perfect.)

It started as a simple job. I wanted to change my cutlass bearing. To do so, I had to pull, the shaft. The shaft could not be removed from the coupling despite all efforts and all techniques. I had to cut the shaft and destroy the coupling.

SO the cutlass bearing ended up costing me a new shaft and coupling! I decided to change the shaft hose (Buck Algonquin) since I had it all apart and repack the stuffingsbox.

 

[Warren Milberg]

A friend of mine with a 1986 Pearson 28-II nearly had his boat sink in his slip due to a small hole that developed on the underside of his shaft log hose. Although he inspected the hose visually nearly every time he sailed, he was just looking at the top and sides of the hose when he did his engine check, not the underside of it. He never ran his hand, or a mirror, under the hose and that is where water pooled in the hose and eventually a hole formed there. He had an emergency haul-out and we replaced the shaft log hose. The old hose looked and felt like new -- everywhere other than its underside, which had become soft and squishy.... If you are wondering about replacing an OEM shaft log hose on an aging boat, sooner is better than later.

 

[Deadline]

Since the hose doesn't encounter any heat to speak of nor any movement, I suppose it could last for decades except for going brittle.

By contrast, nearby exhaust hose of the same dimension encounters a lot of heat. Mine exploded last month because of a cooling failure, spewing mud and water all over the aft cabin. Spectacular noise and mess. Ah, boating.

 

[sailaway78]

Standard or dripless

Also will depend on whether or not it is a dripless packing. The standard packing gland, the hose only has to keep out the water, and as long as it is in good condition, you should be fine, although I would probably replace it next time boat is out. If it is a dripless, you also need to consider the strength of the spring, which holds the two face plates together, to stop water ingress.

 

[Bob Poff]

Here's another thing to worry about.....

My shaft log hose was bulging out. Not leaking, but not safe. I called the shop and said haul it out and replace it and the stuffing box which showed some surface corrosion.

While doing that they found the bronze shaft log itself was nearly corroded through.

Now admitedly my 1983 H34 is older than your boat. But.......