I'm attempting to repack the stuffing box for the first time (for me, not the boat - I hope!), and discovered once I loosened the nut that it won't slip forward up to the coupling so that I can get at the stuffing -- seems to be a bit of crud on the bronze prop shaft impeding it.
What would be the safe way to clean off the shaft in that area? A light touch of emery cloth? I don't want to score it or damage it.
—
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
Emery cloth would work. But it would be easier to use a wire brush. Brass if you have one, but a steel one is ok. Clean the face of the packing nut also, may have a bit of packing poking thru causing the problem.
Ken and Vicki Juul
SV Luna Loca
C34 #1090
Chesapeake Bay
I used a small brass brush on a dremel tool and then emery paper and it worked fine.
The trick is getting the old stuffing out. I found a set of picks with the tips facing in various directions worked well. You can get them a Sears or any parts place pretty cheap. I first tried that corkscrew type tool they sell for this job but it didn't work too well.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
I agree, Chuck, that those pigtail flax removers are just too big for our stuffing boxes.
This C34 Tech wiki was prepared years ago when I first did my stuffing box. It includes a link to Maine Sail's fine writeup, too.
[url]http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box_packing[/url]
I use Lanocote to keep the box operating.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
I found a small drywall type screw works great to get the packing out. As you screw it in, the screw bottoms out on the front face of the packing nut and the threads then pull the packing out. Once you get them loose, the picks easily finish the job.
Ken and Vicki Juul
SV Luna Loca
C34 #1090
Chesapeake Bay