Stuffing box hose needs replacing!

[Tom Robinson]

I've seen the recent posts saying "if it's not broke don't fit it", well it is definitely broke! During commisioning today the stuffing box hose split. The boat is a CD30 1986 with a Universal 18 diesel. It seems to me that that unless the engine comes out it is almost impossible to get at this! Any and all imput is urgently needed!

Thanks in advance!
Tom Robinson



BLOCKRI@aol.com

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Captain Robinson,

Hanalei is also a CD-30C with a Universal 18. If it is just the hose, the problem is pulling the shaft to replace the hose/stuffing box, or at least removing the coupling on the shaft so that a hose could be slipped over it. Are you sure that the problem is not the shaft log? The '84 CD-30C still used a fiberglas tube shaftlog that tended to crack. If that happened, your vessel sank! I believe that the drive line on your vessel is straight, if so, everything can be reached by leaning in over the engine. Not fun, but it can be done. But, if the shaft log must be replaced, it DOES entail removing the engine and about $6,000.00 later you will be done. Replace with a short combination shaft log/stuffing box fitting that is available, don't replace the fiberglas tube! Tell me more about what ya have..

Dave Stump, Hanalei

[Tom Robinson]

Dave what I have is not the older shaft log system. They went to a stern tube and bearing system that had a shorter metal tube that is bolted thru the hull then glassed. The problem is a split hose for sure. It was pouring in yesterday but I managed to get a heavy duty wire tie on to stem the flow until it was hauled. The problem is that I can only get 1 hand on it to work. The yard's mechanic felt that the engine should come out to do the repair and I'm hoping to hear otherwise.
Thanks for you input!
Tom Robinson



BLOCKRI@aol.com

[Gary L.]

Dave what I have is not the older shaft log system. They went to a stern tube and bearing system that had a shorter metal tube that is bolted thru the hull then glassed. The problem is a split hose for sure. It was pouring in yesterday but I managed to get a heavy duty wire tie on to stem the flow until it was hauled. The problem is that I can only get 1 hand on it to work. The yard's mechanic felt that the engine should come out to do the repair and I'm hoping to hear otherwise.
Thanks for you input!
Tom Robinson

Tom,

I have a 1985 CD30, and am currently having the cutlass bearing done by the yard. What I did not know, and they found, is that in the portside cockpit locker, the panel to the engine room is held in place by two latches,making it easier to remove and which gives tremendous access to the rear of the engine and shaft, stuffing box etc. There is plenty of room to crawl in (I'm no lightweight either - 5'9", 205lbs and 52yrs old). I don't know if your boat is configured that way or if you could unscrew the panel and set it up that way.



dory26@attbi.com

[Ken Coit]

At 5'11", 220#, and not all of that muscle, I can vouch for the inhospitable environs of the stuffing box and shaft log for above average human beings (well, at least in stature) and I fully support the idea that some smaller examples could be worth their weight in gold in a boat yard servicing sailing yachts.

In addition to the "just enough room" access panel from the quarterberth, Parfait also has a removable panel on the port side of the engine compartment, but it would be a real challenge for one to get down into the locker. I recommend a temporary bridge across the shaft to provide some support while one works away back there. I use a dinghy thwart, but there are easily better solutions.


Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

Dave what I have is not the older shaft log system. They went to a stern tube and bearing system that had a shorter metal tube that is bolted thru the hull then glassed. The problem is a split hose for sure. It was pouring in yesterday but I managed to get a heavy duty wire tie on to stem the flow until it was hauled. The problem is that I can only get 1 hand on it to work. The yard's mechanic felt that the engine should come out to do the repair and I'm hoping to hear otherwise.
Thanks for you input!
Tom Robinson

Tom,

I have a 1985 CD30, and am currently having the cutlass bearing done by the yard. What I did not know, and they found, is that in the portside cockpit locker, the panel to the engine room is held in place by two latches,making it easier to remove and which gives tremendous access to the rear of the engine and shaft, stuffing box etc. There is plenty of room to crawl in (I'm no lightweight either - 5'9", 205lbs and 52yrs old). I don't know if your boat is configured that way or if you could unscrew the panel and set it up that way.

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Warren Kaplan]

At 5'11", 220#, and not all of that muscle, I can vouch for the inhospitable environs of the stuffing box and shaft log for above average human beings (well, at least in stature) and I fully support the idea that some smaller examples could be worth their weight in gold in a boat yard servicing sailing yachts.

In addition to the "just enough room" access panel from the quarterberth, Parfait also has a removable panel on the port side of the engine compartment, but it would be a real challenge for one to get down into the locker. I recommend a temporary bridge across the shaft to provide some support while one works away back there. I use a dinghy thwart, but there are easily better solutions.


Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

Ken,
I had the same concern last year. The dreaded stuffing box always sent chills up my spine. The stuffing box on Sine Qua Non (CD27) was badly in need of repair according to the surveyor. I decided to get a packless shaft seal installed and be done with the stuffing box. Anyway, I went to the yard mechanics and they said they could do the job. I said, you might want to take a look at the engine access before you make that pronoucement. They came over and took a look. I said, do you think you can get someone down into the "bowels" of my engine compartment to do this? They said, not to worry. They keep a mechanic name Carlos on the payroll for just such a situation. He's about 5'1" and weighs about 110 pounds soaking wet!! They did the job and the PSS (put in July 2001) works fine. I finally met Carlos about a week after the job was done and gave him a nice tip. I don't care how small the guy is...I tip my hat to anyone who can stay cramped up in that engine compartment for hours or even days.

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY



Setsail728@aol.com

[zeida]

Tom: You do not need to take the engine out to fix the hose!!!. I just went through the entire same process on my CD-33. Can send you photos of everything for reference. E-mail me direct and I can be of help. If you take the engine out you will have to align everything again -this is a major!-
Zeida
CD-33 Bandolera II
Miami, FL



zcecil@attglobal.net

[John R.]

I know of no reason why you would have to R&R the engine just to change a shaft log hose in a CD30. Something seems way wrong with that scenario. Several years ago I not only changed the hose and installed a dripless seal but even lengthened the shaft log itself. That was all done with the engine in place. All you should need to do is unbolt your coupler, slide the shaft as far aft as possible. Then remove the aft half of the coupler from the end of the shaft. At that point you should have enough clearance to remove the stuffing box first and then the hose separately. If you can't get the shaft far enough aft because you have a 3 blade prop then you will have to remove the prop. After the prop is removed turn your rudder hard over and push the shaft aftward to clear the rudder. Now you should have plenty of room to fit the new hose and shaft seal.

Dave what I have is not the older shaft log system. They went to a stern tube and bearing system that had a shorter metal tube that is bolted thru the hull then glassed. The problem is a split hose for sure. It was pouring in yesterday but I managed to get a heavy duty wire tie on to stem the flow until it was hauled. The problem is that I can only get 1 hand on it to work. The yard's mechanic felt that the engine should come out to do the repair and I'm hoping to hear otherwise.
Thanks for you input!
Tom Robinson