Have you tried adjusting the nuts? Or you might want to consider using "Gore GFO"? A lot have used it very successfully. [URL="http://www.gore.com/en_xx/products/sealants/packing/fiber_tech_info.html"]GORE GFO[/URL]

Here is a good how to on replacing [URL="http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box&page=2"]Maine Sail[/URL]

If it is a new boat I would suggest replacing the packing. You have no idea what is in there, and just tightening the nut might do more damage than good.

I have had excellent results with the Gore packing material. It is [I]capable[/I] of running at a higher temperature than flax packing, but that does not mean it [I]will[/I] run at a higher temperature. The heat generated by the packing is a function of the amount of friction generated by the packing vs the amount of cooling water dripping through. For example, if your stuffing box is currently filled with old unlubricated flax packing , tightening the nut may create a lot of heat, without substantially improving the seal. The new Teflon packing will generate less heat because it is very slippery.

Th I am not familiar with the PVC stuffing box . Is that the original? or was it replaced by a previous owner? A MKI owner can give you advice as to whether that should be replaced.

What is a PVC stuffing box. I have never heard of that in 30 years of sailing. Another stuffing box discussion, which also links to Maine Sail's, is here: [url]http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box_packing[/url]

Perhaps the PVC refers to the material inside the box. If so, then just read the articles mentioned and repack the box. Anyone who buys a new to them boat ought to do that anyway.

Stu,

James had emailed me about the stern tube diameter on our boats and explained he was considering going to a PSS Dripless system. I stated I was not a huge fan of this system and recommended the Teflon packing material as a cheap and easy way of obtaining a near dripless packing.

He did mention he had a PVC packing gland/stuffing box, I too had never heard of one on a boat and a Google search did not show anything other than industrial PVC packing glands. I cautioned him on a possible problem using the Teflon packing due to an issue I had. After installing the new packing material, my stuffing box ran very hot, to hot to hold my hand on it so likely above 120 degrees, I was not sure if the PVC would hold up to this. The instructions that came with the packing material and lube indicated that the box may run hot and I did not think to much about it. After about four hours of running it cooled down and is truely dripless after a second adjustment.

I again did a search on hot running stuffing boxs this morning and ran across a forum that discussed the issue, it and may have explained what I experienced. The suggestion was that I may not have gotten out all of the old packing, I was only able to get two wraps of packing into the gland and this too may be due to the fact I may not have gotten all of the old material out.

jjesney,
First of all, congrats on your new boat. I think you will find the C36 a great boat that does everything well.
Secondly, you might want to update your "signature" so that we know more about you and don't have to address you by your user name.
Thirdly, would it be possible to take a picture of the PVC stuffing box and post it here? I have been sailing for 40+ years and have also never heard of one. You might want to change out the PVC and put in reinforced hose, which is what originally came with your boat. Bronze stuffing box connected to the stern tube with 1-5/8" hose, double clamped on both ends. Add gore packing, and you've got a very dependable setup. Just a thought.

The stuffing box parts are not brass, but bronze, and you can probably get one at a marine consignment store for a very reasonable price. They really don't wear out. When I replaced mine on Julandra, I think I sold mine at a consignment store for about $20 or so. You might want to get a bronze one and get rid of the PVC.

James, that's the beauty of this web site. We all have to learn and if you contemplate all of the various systems we have onboard it is quite a learning curve. Best of all it is a small investment as compared to what it would cost if we had to hire someone to show us or repair something rather simple.

James,
I still would consider changing out the packing, since you don't know its condition. By way of comparison, I have Gore graphite impregnated Teflon packing and my stuffing box does not drip when the shaft is not turning.