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Can the shaft packing on an inboard be replaced in the water, or should it be done while in the sling? It's a 36' sedan flybridge with twins.
Replace shaft packing
- Thread starter Bruce Herrington
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Personally, JMHO, YES, it can be done in the water but I strongly recommend doing it in the sling if that is a convenient option for you.
Yes, your bilge pumps should easily keep up if you do it in the water. But, doing it in the sling will keep YOU a LOT dryer and you will use a LOT fewer four letter words in the process.
Bob
Yes, your bilge pumps should easily keep up if you do it in the water. But, doing it in the sling will keep YOU a LOT dryer and you will use a LOT fewer four letter words in the process.
Bob
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Bob, you are absolutely right; four letter words are a big part of any repair I attempt to make. So, using a sling won't invalidate my man card? 
I've done it both ways. The water flow when done in water is minimal and almost non existent after the first ring or 2 are in place. If you do it in the water, preparation is everything: Have the rings pre-cut and laying within reach so they can easily be replaced. remember to stagger the joints on sucessive rings.
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In water is no problem, if your bilge pumps can't keep up with this, then your shouldn't be using the boat
If the boat is out, then yes do it not he hard but I wouldn't pay for a short haul or go thru the hassle just for that.
The key is have the tool to extract the old packing. Is a corkscrew mounted o a flexible shaft. Makes the job a lot easier. Also, since stuffing need to be adjusted, it s actually easier to do in the water.
While on the subject, make sure you replace it with goretex packing which is virtually drip less and doesn't require grease. Easier and cleaner job
If the boat is out, then yes do it not he hard but I wouldn't pay for a short haul or go thru the hassle just for that.
The key is have the tool to extract the old packing. Is a corkscrew mounted o a flexible shaft. Makes the job a lot easier. Also, since stuffing need to be adjusted, it s actually easier to do in the water.
While on the subject, make sure you replace it with goretex packing which is virtually drip less and doesn't require grease. Easier and cleaner job
Capt. Bill1
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Yes GFO packing is what you want to use. http://www.gore.com/en_xx/products/sealants/packing/gfo_packing_fiber.html
Capt. Bill1
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http://www.emarineinc.com/products/GFO-Packing,-1%7B47%7D8-in.(4-mm)-2-foot.html
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+1 on GFO from eMarine. Good stuff.
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Thanks, everyone. Each of you has been very helpful.
Two more points I didn't see mentioned.
1) Find a mandrel the exact diameter of your shafts & pre-cut packing while sitting comfortable instead of on your knees in the bilge.
2) Cut rings on a bias; not butt cuts & remember to stagger seams.
1) Find a mandrel the exact diameter of your shafts & pre-cut packing while sitting comfortable instead of on your knees in the bilge.
2) Cut rings on a bias; not butt cuts & remember to stagger seams.
And if you have any concerns about "Murphy" dropping by during the procedure, you could very substantially limit max potential inflow by jumping in 1st & stuffing a large rag or sheet plastic around the shaft in the exterior hull opening. If you had a cord attached you might be able to just haul it back out from the cockpit after the packing replacement. Just don't forget it.
This web page was a big help to me:
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box
The PVC flax insertion tool found on the third page works awesome.
Those corkscrew extractors break easily from my experience; I probably went through a half dozen of them so it might be a good idea to have a few on hand. I may have had a particularly difficult time because I did it in the spring before splashing, so the flax was dried out from sitting all winter. It was a MAJOR pita pulling out 4 rings of crusty old dried flax. I remember reading there are better quality corkscrews available but they're hard to find.
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box
The PVC flax insertion tool found on the third page works awesome.
Those corkscrew extractors break easily from my experience; I probably went through a half dozen of them so it might be a good idea to have a few on hand. I may have had a particularly difficult time because I did it in the spring before splashing, so the flax was dried out from sitting all winter. It was a MAJOR pita pulling out 4 rings of crusty old dried flax. I remember reading there are better quality corkscrews available but they're hard to find.
Capt. Bill1
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Yeah I gave up on the packing cork screws a long time ago. I use a right angled pick. Or if I have the room I drive a long screw into the packing and keep on turning it as it bottoms out in the box while the packing just rides right up and out on the threads. In most cases I can get all the packing out in one shot using that method.
I was breaking the corkscrews by using them like a pick. Once I learned to screw the tool into the packing, they wok well. If the packing is dry, spray some penetrating oil in to soften the packing. Good warning about PB Blaster and engine/trans seals in the link above.