Stuffing Box Query

[jneely]

We have owned our CD 27 Troika for about twelve years. During that time I have never serviced the stuffing box. I does not drip even when under power. I have inspected it a few times after running the engine and it has never been hot to the touch. Should I just leave well enough alone?

[Jim Walsh]

Simple answer, yes! Less simple answer, it wouldn't hurt to loosen the nut, fish out the old packing, and replace with new. Is it really necessary.....no! You can also go the route of a dripless shaft seal as I and others here have done but it really is an unnecessary extravagance.

[Ken Cave]

It all depends how old you are!! On our 28 CD I installed a dripless system as I am 77 years old and not in the
mood to even try to work on packing, nuts, etc. on the back of the engine! It is bad enough trying to change
the transmission oil at my age, but I still do it.

If you can bend like a pretzel, go for it!

Ken Cave

[Jeff and Sarah]

I agree you should leave it. It isn't the kind of thing that fails in some epic disasterous fashion- more likely eventually you'll see some dripping (which isn't a huge deal because it is really supposed to drip a little anyway) that can't be solved by snugging up the packing gland. If you want to replace it then, go for it. It can be done in the water but it is considerably less eventful doing it on the hard the first time.

Boat to-do lists are always long enough. Not worth adding this project to it if all seems well for now.

[mgphl52]

We just recently got reunited with KAYLA (after 5-ish years on the dark side...).
It seems as though the packing gland hasn't been touched since before we sold KAYLA in 2010.
Not only is it dripping excessively, the lock nut is frozen in place and as any CD28 owner knows, it's very difficult to get to. I am considering installing a short piece of hose to move the gland forward for easier access (on the next haul out).

Has anyone else done this?

Thanks!

[Sea Hunt Video]

Hey, Mike and Toni:

WELCOME BACK It has indeed been a long time. We have missed your posts and thoughts.

Are you still in the Niceville area

I am not sure if this is of much use to the thread's issue(s) but the following was recently cited in the BoatUS magazine Feb/Mar 2016:

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/stuffing-box.asp

From what I have been told, and studied on my own, Don Casey seems to know his way around the innards of a sailboat.

[mgphl52]

Hi Roberto!

Thanks for the link! Yes, we still live in Niceville and now live across the street from where we keep KAYLA.
Once we collect some $$$ from the sale of Tranquil, I'll probably be looking to haul KAYLA for bottom paint and attack the stuffing box while on the hard. Currently, the solar panel is staying ahead of the bilge pump to keep her somewhat dry... but with an MD7A that doesn't like cold weather starts, it's a challenge to get her cranked.

Still looking for info from others about using a hose to make it easier to get to... Anybody done this on a CD28?

[sgbernd]

Don't worry about it at all.

First, the packing is teflon inpregnated fiber and lasts a long time. Both teflon and the fiber are softer than the bronze or SS metal of the shaft so they will wear before the shaft does. Eventually, it will wear and start to leak, but that is just what they do. As long as it doesn't get hot and is not leaking excessively, (or dripping while idle), you have nothing to worry about. When it starts dripping too much, then you need to think about tightening or repacking. If it gets hot, it is too tight, but that is hard to do considering how difficult it is to adjust.

Second, you are putting 8-12hp down a 1" solid shaft, which could easily handle lots more power. Compare your drive shaft with that of a 15hp outboard and you get the idea. These are so overbuilt or under stressed, it is crazy.

Mine goes thru periods where it stays dry, then after long hours on the motor, sometimes it drips a bit. It still has the original shaft (33 years) and last time I pulled it, there were no signs of scoring or wear of any concern.

s.g.bernd