I did quite a bit of searching on google looking for experience with the
packing. I found a lot of happy people no one saying it hurt the shaft.
Several talked about the graphite concern but apparantly no one experienced
any corrosion at all. My own shafts are not perfect have a few pits etc...
and the boat has always used the old original flax packing. The dripless
teflon product sold at West Marine is $50 for one shaft, so I would need to
buy two sets. And runs hotter from what I hear on newsgroups than the Gore
packing with graphite. So I am an easy sell on the stuff. Even with the nut
turned off the packing gland, not enough water comes in to overcome the
pumps. Actually when I got the boat both glands were leaking as if there was
no packing installed and the prior owner had no understanding except to
periodically try and tighten it up with a 3 foot pipe wrench!


"Steve" wrote in message
...
Scott, I read and reread that ad and I didn't see any spec on what the
material is.. I seem to remember that the "G" stands for graphite and
graphite isn't compatable with salt water and stainless shafts.

In my experience in the US Navy, graphite packing was only used on steam
packing glands because of this problem.

I'm using teflon impregnated packing and have for the last 15 years. No
complaints here. I do an adjustment at the beginning of each season and at
the end, if there is any leakage, more than a drip.. Personally I have no
problem with a little water in the bilge because I have a deep sump and
need
to hear the pump start a couple times a day, just for the sake of my
confidence.

With any packing material, you shaft must be smooth in the gland area and
most important, your engine should be properly aligned.. Engine/shaft
alignment needs to be checked after new engine mounts have been in service
for about a season and then about every time you relaunch after being on
the
hard. Not that being on the hard would effect it that much but it's just
about the right period of time and a way to make sure the yard didn't
effect
it by the way she was blocked.

ABYC has a good section on shaft alignment limits. Don't assume that a
flex
coupling eliminates the need for alignment verification.


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions