Russ et al:
I will make a correction as well....I used 1/4" flax on a one inch
diameter shaft.....three strands and placed as Rich said, at a 120 deg.
of each other. Maybe that was why I could not get the packing nut to
thread with the three strands in all at once....because I used 1/4" flax
and not 3/16".
Rob
On 2015-06-03 10:13 AM, Russ & Melody wrote:
Good correction Robert.
I should have said, "... will drip once per minute..." (phew, metric
still gets me sometimes :)
And yeah, this guy does a great job of presenting boat chores
information.
Cheers, Russ
At 06:00 AM 03/06/2015, Robert wrote:
Great site on how to repack a traditional stuffing box.
Bev, as for the size of the packing material, it depends on the
diameter of the prop shaft.....as the article stated, I used three
strands of 3/16" flax on a 1" diameter shaft. However, mine does
not drip at the rate anywhere near where Russ has stated 'one drip
per second at running speed'.......mine drips about two drops per minute.
When I was repacking, I placed the three strands of flax into the
packing nut but then could not get it to thread.....if this happens
to you, tip....put two strands in first and compress them......open
everything up and then put the third one in and then the packing nut
should thread.
Rob Abbott
AZURA
C&C 32 - 84
Halifax, N.S.
On 2015-06-03 2:36 AM, Russ & Melody via CnC-List wrote:
Hi Rick & Bev,
Good advice, except the repack. Packing loads into the gland as
segments, not as a spiral wound. The direction of shaft rotation has
nothin' to do with it.
I found this very nice explanation to pass along. this guy does a
bang-up job of presenting this task. Pages 2 & 3 is most interesting.
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box&page=1
<http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box%26page=1>
I suggest performing this task during a haulout and using the shaft
near the propeller as your packing segment cutting guide. It's a
very comfortable way to do it.
I didn't see it there but a properly adjusted stuffing box with flax
& lanolin packing (the common old timer's marine stuff), will drip
once per second at running speed and dry up when it cools.
        Cheers, Russ
        /Sweet /35 mk-1
Vancouver Island
At 08:52 PM 02/06/2015, you wrote:
HI Bev, I now have a dripless shaft, but in the past I have
tweaked these. It’s not complex. If you
don’t need new packing you just tighten the gland to a
point where it is weeping at the rate you like. Channel locks
or pipe wrench will do the trick. This is not high stress
wrenching but you need to tension the packing with the first large
nut, and then lock your tension with the second net to snug.ÂÂ
Too tight on the packing and it will heat up and eat the packing
pretty quickly, so the whole exercise is gentle and to be happy
with the rate of drip. If you tighten it down and the pace
continues, you may need new packing. If you pull your old packing
out a bit and snip some off to see what was used you should be able
to staunch the flow again. If you pull it all out the box will
leak at a high rate. Lots of folks have the new packing!ÂÂ
Plan accordingly. As I recall the new packing wraps in the
opposite direction as the forward prop spin (take a mental
picture as you pull the old packing out), enough to fill the gland
then tighten gently to the point the drip slows, stops or is very
small. Keep an eye on it and tighten accordingly. It will
break in eventually and will remain static possibly for years.ÂÂ
 I wish I were in Vancouver as I would drop in and fix it, for
a couple of pints. Of course in Canada it may be cheaper to
hire a top notch mechanic than buy me a couple of beers. lol
It sounds like you are worried about it, and rightly so as the
relentless dripping adds up in the bilge. It is not a huge
problem though and someone on the net will chime in and come give
you a hand. Great folks in BC on C&C and other fine vessels.ÂÂ
Cheers
Rick Rohwer]
C&C 37+ Paikea
Poulsbo, WA
On Jun 2, 2015, at 8:21 PM, Bev Parslow via CnC-List
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
What is the size of nuts on the stuffing box shaft? What size is
the packing? Does anyone know of a gnome or elf available for hire
in Vancouver to tighten the same?
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