I will make this a general posting since I would like to share it with all you CD mechanics. I am now in the Solomons, MD with our 36 Nepenthe. I talked with Joe McCarty at Robinhood and he said the packing on a 36 is 1/4" and your right its darned hard to get to. He also said that this is lifetime packing because it never gets hot like on an engine shaft etc. I have tightened it up about a half turn and its a lot better, but I still may have to replace. I bought packing and a tool (t-handle spring arm to allow you to go up the shaft with what I would call a wine cork pig's tail on the end.) I have one in Florida, but took it off the boat. What poor planning. Cape Dory is incredible in how they help people with their very used boats. A lot of other business's would tell you to get lost they don't make that boat anymore. I even wrote an e-mail and got an answer the next morning. Really great they can help. My e-mail name says it all and for once my wife agrees with me.
CDSailor@aol.com
Rudder packing information
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