Scott Vernon wrote:
I put new packing in this year. May not be around when they splash the boat.
How tight do you make the packing? Till the shaft won't turn by hand?

Hmm... IMHO that would be too tight... the packing will compact and not
seal effectively when loosened.

Is there a cooling water connection to the gland? If so, you can put
water pressure to that and adjust the packing gland to where it does not
drip or only drips approx once a minute. If not, just tighten up to the
point where the shaft is noticably harder to turn.

Your bilge pump works, right?


I *will* loosen it up and adjust before I motor anywhere.

Yep. And if you forget, the screeching sound will remind you!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

"DSK" wrote
Is there a cooling water connection to the gland?

NO

If not, just tighten up to the
point where the shaft is noticably harder to turn.

that's what I did.



Your bilge pump works, right?

Yes. I have two. But I worry that I'll not be able to get to the boat for a
week after they put her in. We'll see.



I *will* loosen it up and adjust before I motor anywhere.

Yep. And if you forget, the screeching sound will remind you!


I removed the coupling and only snugged up the bolts as I plan to check
shaft alignment once she's back in the water.

Scotty

... noticably harder to turn.


Scott Vernon wrote:
that's what I did.

great minds think alike. At this point, it might drip, but it should be
slow.


I removed the coupling and only snugged up the bolts as I plan to check
shaft alignment once she's back in the water.

That's a very good idea. Surprising how many people don't do this...
come to think of it, I haven't checked the alignment on the trawler, and
we have a bit more vibration at higher RPMs after our last trip... hmmm

But hey, our old fashioned low tech packing gland works like a charm.

FB
DSK