Packing Gland

[davidhand]

The packing gland on my Beneteau 375 drips a bit excessively I tried tightening it up, works for couple of week then drips a bit much again. I think it needs repacking. Is it OK to do this with the boat in the water or should I wait until next haul out (my diver says the bottom paint is fine) I need to get out at least the first layer of packing just to find out the size. Don't want the boat to sink before I get back.

 

[cameocrew]

Guess it is best left until you are jetty bound to repack although you dont mention
how much 'Pull-up' is left on the gland . Its OK to tighten the gland ( rotating shaft
by hand to ensure even pull up) until ingress stops then gently back the follower
off and measure shaft dia. and gland dia. ( This will give you the thickness of packing required ) Retighten the follower on completion and slope off to supplier
- get required packing- repeat process adding xtra turn of packing . It may be
useful to know how many turns the gland holds so you can have complete set
ready for next docking. Suggest you contact manufacturer or other owner.
Best of luck

 

[david_bagshaw]

Unless things have changed a lot....since we had a packed stern gland ....( have totally enclosed oil bath shafts now)


I use to change the packing when afloat, not much water comes in anyway, especially if you give the shaft a good greasing first. stuffing box was a good 2 feet under the water line.

In any case the packing is unlikely to need to be changed, If greased regularly, unless it has been much abused, too loose for a long time, too tight etc, then loosened off., we normally got 2000 hrs min between re packs.

check if engine alignement has changed, coupling damage or mounting feet loose / damaged & bearing wear on stuffing box if a re pack does not fix the problem .



David
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.euroboating.net>http://www.euroboating.net</A>

 

[AndrewB]

It's possible to repack a stern gland while afloat, but I don't recommend you trying if you haven't repacked it before. Some yachts don't leak much, but its quite a fountain on mine, so I doubt repacking afloat is done as well. But replacing the top two rings is easy enough.

The problem may be alignment or a worn cutlass bearing rather than worn packing.

 

[alanporter]

If the shaft is scored from too tight packing, or from crevice corrosion, new packing will not solve the problem; a new shaft will be required. Alternatively, if your stuffing box is the type on a flexible rubber hose, you can put a longer hose on to place the packing on a different part of the shaft. I did, and it works.

Alan Porter

 

[Guest]

I repacked the stuffing box this weekend whilst afloat. No problems with leakage. The previous packing had been in there 18 years and was beginning to trickle too much. i.e. Tightened packing gland and 2 weeks later needed retightening. Don't forget to grease the packing before you put it in. 3 coils are usually required. Have the cut chord rotated 120 degrees apart. I have not since done any motoring to assess success. Further, don't forget to leave your engine in gear even when moored. This will prevent the prop from turning and reduce the leakage.