Tell us how you replace the packing while the boat is in the water.
TIA
"DSK" wrote in message
...
wrote:
I have been wondering about this for years. Many people tell me they
have to keep their battery on a charger in order to allow their bilge
pump to run cuz their shaft packing drips so much. Huh? They cant
tighten it?

In many cases, yes.
Believe it or not, lot's of boats have packing glands that are all but
inaccessible. The packing may be old & dried out, the shaft scored, the
threads crossed or stripped, etc etc.

... My old S2 (at 20 yrs) dripped maybe every 10 secs under
way and almost nothing at the dock. When I had her out a couple yrws
ago, I figgered it was prob time to replace the packing so I dismantled
the packing assmbly and found it was really in good shape. I replaced
it anyway with some new synthetic and lubed it with synthetic grease
stuff and it leaks less than before. Even after running it for 31
hours it is cool.

Sounds good... assume there is cooling water flow to the stern tube?
Otherwise it would at least be warm.

Am I doing something right or doing something wrong? How come so many
other people need to use a charger on shore power for this?


Because they don't take as good care of their boats as you do.

BTW it's not necessary to pull a boat out of the water to replace the
packing... *if* the packing gland is reasonably accessible. I've done it
in the water several times.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King