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