What size/type of packing for STEERING gland of CD 36 ?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Russell
What size/type of packing for STEERING gland of CD 36 ?
Everyone seems to ignore this packing gland, but I assume after twenty years it is due for a change. Or at least a look. All my previous boats had transom hung rudders, so I have some dumb questions about this packing gland. (a) Is it below the water line? It sits a few inches below the cockpit, so it is not clear to me whether it is just above, right at, or just below water. (b) What size of packing should be used? I know all the shaft glands on Cape Dories use 1/4" packing, but the steering shaft and gland are quite a bit larger on the rudder. (c) What *kind* of packing should be used?
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Matt Cawthorne
Re: What size/type of packing for STEERING gland of CD 36 ?
Russel,
When I bought the Patricia Louise it was 12 years old and I decided to replace the steering stuffing box packing. The old packing apeared to be in excellent shape. My memory tells me that it was the same 1/4 inch packing as was used for the prop shaft. What came out was standard flax packing and what went back in was the same. I have never had to tighten this stuffing box. The amount of wear should be quite minimal and the packing should last a very long time. If you wish to find out if it is below the water line just loosen the nut and you will find out soon enough. If it is, just retighten it and wait for the next haul out to do the job.
Good luck.
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
When I bought the Patricia Louise it was 12 years old and I decided to replace the steering stuffing box packing. The old packing apeared to be in excellent shape. My memory tells me that it was the same 1/4 inch packing as was used for the prop shaft. What came out was standard flax packing and what went back in was the same. I have never had to tighten this stuffing box. The amount of wear should be quite minimal and the packing should last a very long time. If you wish to find out if it is below the water line just loosen the nut and you will find out soon enough. If it is, just retighten it and wait for the next haul out to do the job.
Good luck.
Matt
Russell wrote: Everyone seems to ignore this packing gland, but I assume after twenty years it is due for a change. Or at least a look. All my previous boats had transom hung rudders, so I have some dumb questions about this packing gland. (a) Is it below the water line? It sits a few inches below the cockpit, so it is not clear to me whether it is just above, right at, or just below water. (b) What size of packing should be used? I know all the shaft glands on Cape Dories use 1/4" packing, but the steering shaft and gland are quite a bit larger on the rudder. (c) What *kind* of packing should be used?
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net