leaking stern gland

[Csail]

My stern gland is leaking badly.It is the greased rope type.Is it best to re pack it or fit a different type?

 

[howardclark]

have done both in the past, current boat has packing and I'm going to stick with that. Modern teflon impregnated is virtually drip free and a gland with packing will not catastrophically fail. As a temporary you can just replace the last piece of packing whilst afloat to slow it down. Or if you can dry out it is easy enough between tides.

 

[Sea Devil]

I would just repack it - that is what that sort of gland is designed for. I assume you have tightened it up but it is still leaking with no more thread left on the nuts? It's a shame to let it get so bad. Means that to change it safely you need to dry out... Having said that if you have the 'waxed cord' pre cut to size before you disassemble the the Stern gland it is possible to do it afloat but of course you do not want to go digging out the old packing - just add some more and next time you haul or are drying out do a proper job and dig out the old stuff and start again..

Michael

 

[PCUK]

Pump it full of grease before dismantling and that should slow the water flow while doing the job.

 

[capricorn]

Had an engineer re-pack mine in the water when it reached a similar state (thread at limit of adjustment and unable to stop drip by screwing grease into it). Very successful.

Still tempted to replace with a dripless seal when boat comes out of the water this winter. Fed up with adjusting/greasing.

 

[Csail]

Just done the job out of the water. Seems the cause was the engine mounts as a couple were loose.How critical are the lengths packed on.Due to access it was really hard to get them exact?

 

[Sea Devil]

You should wrap the length round the shaft anywhere and with a very sharp knife - Stanley knife cut across the section so it is at a bit of an angle. Then the length is exactly right. You will need 3 or 4 lengths pre cut to stuff in.
Michael

 

[Guest]

I\'m also fed up with packing seals .....

Am thinking of non-packing replacement ....

Any suggestions ?

 

[Csail]

Re: I\'m also fed up with packing seals .....

Also seems the bearings are worn...is it easy to replace?