I have a 1983 Hunter 33 (or maybe 33.5) std yamar 2gm iron duke..and of course the stuffing box leaks like a sieve..I've had her for 10 years and have struggled upsidedown 2 or 3 times a year to try to stop the leak..does anyone know the size and type of stuffing recommended and a good method..its so bad that every time i go below i have to use the head thanks and smooth sailin
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Alternative
Our 33.5 now has a PYI dripless seal and we havent seen a drop in well over a year. The next time you have her out and are standing on your head (if it's in the budget of course) you may want to consider installing one. I highly recommend it. ps. if you do, think about putting in a new cutlass bearing while the flange is off the shaft. Also, a flexible flange coupling helps with the vibes. I'm here to help you spend money! Smooth sailing Doug
Our 33.5 now has a PYI dripless seal and we havent seen a drop in well over a year. The next time you have her out and are standing on your head (if it's in the budget of course) you may want to consider installing one. I highly recommend it. ps. if you do, think about putting in a new cutlass bearing while the flange is off the shaft. Also, a flexible flange coupling helps with the vibes. I'm here to help you spend money! Smooth sailing Doug
also. . .
If your boat is a 1983 model, then it's a 33, or possibly a 34, but the 33.5s weren't made until 1987. Look in the boat specs forum and compare it to the pictures there.
If your boat is a 1983 model, then it's a 33, or possibly a 34, but the 33.5s weren't made until 1987. Look in the boat specs forum and compare it to the pictures there.
Dripless Seal
I think the flax is 1/4", but I second the dripless seal post. Installed PYI this spring and it was a well spend $129. Boat US had the best price. I wouldn't attempt installation while in the water, it could be done but you'ld regret it.
I think the flax is 1/4", but I second the dripless seal post. Installed PYI this spring and it was a well spend $129. Boat US had the best price. I wouldn't attempt installation while in the water, it could be done but you'ld regret it.
Warning
IF you install the PYI dripless, which by all means you should, be certain you check the bolts that hold in the stern tube. On my '83 Hunter 33 they were excessively long to the point that they were rubbing on the new rubber bellows and would have worn through in short order, causing a VERY big leak. If you don't want to spend the cash on the PYI you can rebuild your existing stuffing box. With the boat out of the water, pull the shaft back, pull the coupling, pull off the box. clean the threads with a wire brush, coat with anti-seize, install new packing and reinstall. (And yes, replace the cutless while you're at it.) Even on the 33 adjusting the stuffing box is only a 2 minute affair if everything is right.
IF you install the PYI dripless, which by all means you should, be certain you check the bolts that hold in the stern tube. On my '83 Hunter 33 they were excessively long to the point that they were rubbing on the new rubber bellows and would have worn through in short order, causing a VERY big leak. If you don't want to spend the cash on the PYI you can rebuild your existing stuffing box. With the boat out of the water, pull the shaft back, pull the coupling, pull off the box. clean the threads with a wire brush, coat with anti-seize, install new packing and reinstall. (And yes, replace the cutless while you're at it.) Even on the 33 adjusting the stuffing box is only a 2 minute affair if everything is right.
Another Alternative
While we had our H31 out for a bottom job, I had the yard repack the stuffing box with a "dripless" stuffing. This stuff is a green putty-like material (used along with conventional flax) that lubricates the shaft, eliminating the water drip. So far it has worked great. Good Luck, Bob S/V H31 Lady Di II PS: You can buy it at West Marine.
While we had our H31 out for a bottom job, I had the yard repack the stuffing box with a "dripless" stuffing. This stuff is a green putty-like material (used along with conventional flax) that lubricates the shaft, eliminating the water drip. So far it has worked great. Good Luck, Bob S/V H31 Lady Di II PS: You can buy it at West Marine.
flax
On myH28.5 the diameter on the flax was, I think, 3/16ths but call the parts guy at Hunter - that how I found out. I bought my flax at West Marine. If you need to replace the Hose on the shaft, there are 2 diameters (on the 28.5 at least). Also Put some Liquid Wrench on the existing packing threads a day or 2 before to soften the backout. To "polish up the bronze housing I used muriatic acid (stong stuff- don't get on skin- neutralize with detergent and rinsing. Don't clean it in closed quarters- fumes!!! Jim McCue S/V SafeHarbor
On myH28.5 the diameter on the flax was, I think, 3/16ths but call the parts guy at Hunter - that how I found out. I bought my flax at West Marine. If you need to replace the Hose on the shaft, there are 2 diameters (on the 28.5 at least). Also Put some Liquid Wrench on the existing packing threads a day or 2 before to soften the backout. To "polish up the bronze housing I used muriatic acid (stong stuff- don't get on skin- neutralize with detergent and rinsing. Don't clean it in closed quarters- fumes!!! Jim McCue S/V SafeHarbor
thanks ya'll
she is a 33 and hunter recommended 5/16 flax so i spend the weekend upside down...smooth sailin!
she is a 33 and hunter recommended 5/16 flax so i spend the weekend upside down...smooth sailin!
had problems
I bought 79 Hunter 27 last year. when put in water stuffing box leaked like a sieve. I repacked with teflon packing didn't leak a drop(all summer). In fact keep in water all winter had bilge pump off- because of ice- no problem. This spring had new engine installed by marina. Went out sailing one day- Ok. Came to boat next day everything in cabin floating around -almost sunk! Marina repacked box(said they did) looked OK used 4or 5 times seemed OK. Left boat in hurry one night. Came next day 6" water (pump burnt out trying to keep up!) Few more hours would have lost boat. I retighted using wrench and tapping retaining nut with Ball pein hammer till tight. I used boat 10 times seems Fine. Suggestion clean threads with wire brush tighten packing nut-then tighten retaining with light hammer and try that before spending a fortune! They have used stuffing boxes for 100 years in most boats. Good LUck!
I bought 79 Hunter 27 last year. when put in water stuffing box leaked like a sieve. I repacked with teflon packing didn't leak a drop(all summer). In fact keep in water all winter had bilge pump off- because of ice- no problem. This spring had new engine installed by marina. Went out sailing one day- Ok. Came to boat next day everything in cabin floating around -almost sunk! Marina repacked box(said they did) looked OK used 4or 5 times seemed OK. Left boat in hurry one night. Came next day 6" water (pump burnt out trying to keep up!) Few more hours would have lost boat. I retighted using wrench and tapping retaining nut with Ball pein hammer till tight. I used boat 10 times seems Fine. Suggestion clean threads with wire brush tighten packing nut-then tighten retaining with light hammer and try that before spending a fortune! They have used stuffing boxes for 100 years in most boats. Good LUck!
Hey Butch, how did it work out???
Butch, I have to address the same problem with the stuffing box. I have to replace the flax and was just researching for the right size to use. Did the 5/16 work? Did you have the boat in or out of the water? What, if any problems did you run into? Hope to get a response before I try to sink my boat doing it incorrectly. Thank you in advance... "Freebird" 1982 Hunter 33
Butch, I have to address the same problem with the stuffing box. I have to replace the flax and was just researching for the right size to use. Did the 5/16 work? Did you have the boat in or out of the water? What, if any problems did you run into? Hope to get a response before I try to sink my boat doing it incorrectly. Thank you in advance... "Freebird" 1982 Hunter 33
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