Well the other day my neighbor asked me how often I adjusted my stuffing box. I said what ?? He said I may not have one being a newer boat (2005) but he didn't know how to tell either. So, how do you know if you have one ? Thanks.
Stuffingbox ???
- Thread starter 7sailing7
- Start date
You've got one, question is, standard or dripless, if there is a "bellows" where the propshaft exits the boat it's dripless. If it's two corroded nuts next to a piece of black hose held on with 4 clamps it's standard.
Begs the question why your neighbor asked given he doesn't understand every boat has some means of preventing water from entering the shaft hole (or rudder post hole).
As to when to adjust, that is a function of what type. The traditional stuffing box should be adjusted for a minimal drip while turning to ensure some water flow for cooling the shaft. It is an integral step in routine maintenance of every boat which I infer you are not doing. If you are unsure of what to do and how often, you would be well served to read up on the subject and how to repack the stuffing on a routine basis.
This is a fundamental step in the maintenance routine, or should be..
As to when to adjust, that is a function of what type. The traditional stuffing box should be adjusted for a minimal drip while turning to ensure some water flow for cooling the shaft. It is an integral step in routine maintenance of every boat which I infer you are not doing. If you are unsure of what to do and how often, you would be well served to read up on the subject and how to repack the stuffing on a routine basis.
This is a fundamental step in the maintenance routine, or should be..
Don's right.
Here's how a traditional one works, with links to Maine Sail's excellent tutorial.
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box_packing
Here's how a traditional one works, with links to Maine Sail's excellent tutorial.
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box_packing