Swing keel delrin rod stuffing box

[SvenTheGoose]

Is the stuffing box on these normally sealed with packing or is there a compression nut type of thing in them? I opened it up and don't see any packing but she is a new to me boat that I have never seen in the water. Trying to reduce the chances of a leak when we do finally get her launched.

Attached are a couple of pictures of the stuffing box in various states of disassembly.

 

[ggrizzard]

The (nuts) should unscrew.
There should be some packing material inside one of the bigger nuts deep lnside the cavity.
Depending on the state of the material, you might be able to add another wrap of packing.
Many UTube videos available to learn more

 

[Tally Ho]

I agree with @ggrizzard, there should be packing material (usually about 3 rings) inside the large packing nut. A sharp pick of some sort (I used a thin nail with the end bent over a bit) should help get any material out. You should be able to feel “metal on metal” with your pick if all the packing is out.

The other thing I see in your photo (although I am not familiar with your boat) is that the hose that connects the stuffing box to the boat hull (stern tube) does not look like it is connected. Maybe you took it off, but just want to be sure I mention it. Those 2 hose clamps should be on the hose over the end of the bronze stuffing box.

This isn’t the best video, but it may give you some ideas…

Good luck.


Greg

 

[SvenTheGoose]

thanks ggrizard and Greg. I will have to dig into the larger nut more and see what I can find in there.

Greg, yes, I disconnected the hose so I could get to the stuffing box, otherwise it is under the cabin sole.

Thanks again!

 

[Marty_B]

Hello,
This is my first post on this forum and I know that it is an old post. I have an Irwin 28 with a swing keel and the winch was missing when I acquired it. I think that it should be mounted forward of the throttle inside the starboard lazerette. Is this true? Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

 

[Boatingman222]

I am also new to the forum. I acquired a 1982 Irwin Ketch 46 less then 2 weeks ago from friend's elderly parents. Every model I have seen on line has a swing Keel, center board, Dagger board. What every you want to call it the family has has the boat for 40 years sailed the east coast to Canada Bahamas Carribean and all over Florida. The tell me it does not have board that comes out from under the 4-foot keel. Did Irwin build any that way. During my maiden sail she was sliding a little off point.
The 96 year old is quite sure it doesn't have one. I'm not about to disagree with the gentleman.
Also I cannot find the holding tank or more importantly the valves to divert the flush into the tank.I have crawling and peaking for clues with no luck. I tried a few searches looking for a past thread came up blank

 

[kappykaplan]

Welcome to the forum! Sailboatdata shows that it has a center board.

IRWIN 46 - sailboatdata

sailboatdata.com

 

[Boatingman222]

Yes, thank you. I saw that
Plus I saw several Irwin 46 Ketch for sale all with a Centerboard I had my head stuffed in everywhere in my boat with no sign of a centerboard. The boat would handle better if its there. Any suggestions where to look?

 

[Boatingman222]

Where I would believe a centerboard sound be under the salon right down the center is a 5-6 inch wide empty space 5-6 feet long 2 feet deep, 2-3 inches of clean water at the bottom

 

[dlochner]

A boat built in 1982 for use in the ocean may not have a holding tank. At that time no discharge zones were just being considered after the 1978 Clean Water Act.

If you can dive the keel, you should be able to tell if it has a CB, the keel will be short and there will be a big slot in the middle of it. It is possible the CB was removed and the bottom of the CB slot was sealed. The minimum draft was about 4.6 feet which would be consistent with the specs on SailboatData.com.

 

[Boatingman222]

Yep, that is my plan I have her on the hook there is clear water about 4 miles away, Strang someone would seal it up. There is a holding tank with y value to switch from hold take or direct overboard discharge she can not remember where, I sure I will find it while tracking down something . another strange set up three air conditioners with one water pump all three AC look like trash. I will be putting in three new ones with there own water pumps

 

[jssailem]

Welcome @Boatingman222 to SBO. Sounds like you have a opportunity. I enjoy mature boats even if some of the experience is doing detective work..

This is an image from a brochure on your 46ft Ketch. It says that Irwin made this boat in a couple of variants.
Here is the source site. Irwin Yachts - Center Cockpit Models
Your boat, I believe is the one to left of the Irwin 50 on the page.

 

[termitec4]

Is the stuffing box on these normally sealed with packing or is there a compression nut type of thing in them? I opened it up and don't see any packing but she is a new to me boat that I have never seen in the water. Trying to reduce the chances of a leak when we do finally get her launched.

Attached are a couple of pictures of the stuffing box in various states of disassembly.

is this what I have? Trying to identify what I have. Thanks

 

[jssailem]

Hello @termitec4 and welcome to the SBO forum.
Yes you have a stuffing box. It is made up of two nuts with packing inside. Flax is a common material.

The black hose is called a “shaft log hose”.

You will unscrew the two nuts. They will slide apart. You remove the stuffing and replace with fresh. If you do it while the boat is in the water, water will start spilling out into the bilge. If you have a good bilge pump, the water will cause you concern but the pump will keep you afloat.

The first time you play with this project it is recommended you do it when the boat is out of the water.

 

[termitec4]

What's it for? What's the cable for? Just curious.

 

[dlochner]

Since the Irwin 23 is an outboard powered boat, you don't have a shaft log.

I'm not specifically familiar with the Irwin 23, so I won't be too specific. Centerboards are raised by a cable, the drawing on Sailboatdata.com indicates the CB on the Irwin is attached to the CB trailing edge with a cable. That cable will lead into the boat and to a winch. The winch can be located most anywhere, some are in the cockpit, some use a winch on the mast, some have a winch in the cabin. You'll have to look for it, it should be obvious. Except for a winch on the mast, they look more like a the winch on a boat trailer than a sheet or halyard winch.

The CB cable will exit the boat below the waterline. The black hose with the gland on it serves to keep the water out of the boat. Again, armed with a flashlight, follow that hose in both directions.

 

[termitec4]

Ok. The cable runs to the starboard side in the cockpit on the side of the seat area.ive not had it off the trailer to look for the slot in the keel area currently it's obstructed by a couple of boards on the trailer. Thanks for your help I'll let yous know when I do get it off and what I find.youll see winch on the right side of the inspection cover.

 

[shemandr]

I hope I don't have to say this but if there is a swing keel, be mindful of it hitting an observer if it suddenly released. It could put a dent in one's IQ. Likely it will be a challenge to drop.
That board, if it exists, can wait for your attention. The boat will sail reasonably well without it being down. You'll lose a bit of windwardness. But there's more pressing projects at hand.

 

[termitec4]

Yes agreed. Thanks for your help i appreciate it.