Cutlass bearing

[martinriches]

I have had the boat for 3 years.It always had a singing noise from the prop shaft area at certain revs and a drip from the stuffing box when under way which stopped when I gave the greaser a half turn. Now the singing is occuring over greater rev ranges and the drip is increasing, also grease is getting flung out the back [inboard]
As I am just about to set off up the east coast for a couple of weeks should I be worring about this, or can I adjust things[there are two large nuts on the stuffing box].
Any advice,enlightenment greatfully recieved

Martin

 

[john_morris_uk]

There is no problem with the stuffing box dripping occasionally - in fact some will say that its correctly set up if it behaves like yours. If the leak becomes a lot worse, then the packing can be tightened. The nuts are usually difficult to get to and you often need to make special spanners to fit them, but if the packing is ok, the one nut is usually a locknut, and then you tighten the other a little and lock it off again.

Don't tighten too much, or you wear the shaft and it will get hot and the grease will come out and make the leak worse. If the packing is worn out, it can be replaced, alhough you need a bit of courage to do it when the boat is in the water, as when you rake the old stuffing out, water wll pour in. Better to dry out and take your time. The teflon based stuffing is good stuff. Post again if you want more advice.

The singing noise is most likely the propellor and unconnected. A prop specialist will check it for you.

 

[chamac]

[ QUOTE ]

The singing noise is most likely the propellor and unconnected. A prop specialist will check it for you.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have this singing at perticular revs too. How would the prop make a noise like that? Thought it was the cutlass bearing too.

 

[Pye_End]

Take a look at your prop. To stop it singing it must have an 'anti-singing' edge on one edge of each blade. This is where instead of have a squared off edge it has been filed down (a bit like a knife but not so sharp).

If you want an anti-singing edge then an easy job for a prop maker.