Goretex sterngland packing - anyone tried it

[skyflyer]

I have been referred to 'dripless goretex sterngland packing' and wondered if anyone has any knowledge or experience.

It appears that the idea is that it doesnt need to be wet to 'swell up' and make a seal but at the same time will not create friction and cause heating or shaft scoring.

Sounds ideal!

(No - its not a plug, I have no connection with the company.)

http://www.gfopacking.com

they say

GFO ® fiber dripless packing is a braided propeller and rudder shaft packing that you can install and forget about. After 15 years of successfully handling demanding industrial pump applications, it's now proving itself in the marine field, too. It's already being used by the US Navy and Coast Guard and many commercial work and fishing fleets. And, it's approved by the American Bureau of Shipping.

Easy to install
No grease, no mess. Just cut into 2 to 3 pieces to length (the length to make one wrap around your saft) to form the rings and install them in the stuffing box. Make maybe one adjustment to the gland following a short run-in and never tinker with the stuffing box again! You'll rarely need to make any adjustments, and the Gore dripless packing will last for years.



Won't damage shafts
GFO fiber packing has minimal thermal expansion and high abrasion resistance - it never gets hard and abrasive, even when mud or sand-laden water gets into the stuffing box. So extensive shaft scoring and premature packing failure are things of the past. And, this packing can withstand high shaft speeds without being consumed or destroyed.



Bilges stay dry
Since GFO fiber dripless packing is four times more thermally conductive than flax, it needs virtually no sea water for lubrication or cooling. And, because it doesn't swell or shrink, leakage is controlled and kept to an absolute minimum. In fact, you'll notice that your bilge is dry and cleaner, because this remarkable packing hardly ever drips. It's so conformable and flexible that it will solve most perpetual problem leakers, too.