[C320-list] GFO and Leather Kits for Helms

[T. Scott Thompson]

OK, I'll use this as an opportunity to ask a question about the GFO. I 
installed this on Surprise last year. Two rings of 1/4" seemed to fit. 
There did not appear to be sufficient threads left on the nut for a 
third ring. The packing has been drip free and running cool so far, 
although I hardly did any motoring last year since we never made it out 
for anything longer than a day sail. So I'm guessing that I have less 
than 20 hours on the packing so far. However, I've noticed that there is 
blackish debris around the packing nut and in the stern compartment 
around the shaft that seems to be coming from the packing. Did I likely 
install it wrong? Have others seen this? Is any remedy needed? Splashing 
in early May (late this year) and so any advice on this would be 
appreciated.

By the way, while GFO is made by Gore it's clearly not just pure 
Goretex. There is a soft, blackish material in there too that seems to 
be some kind of carbon material. That's what's leaking out of mine, I 
think. This is probably the material that is responsible for the high 
heat dissipation properties of this packing, which is in turn 
responsible for the ability to run with no water drip for lubrication. 
In short, if all of the black stuff squeezes out, it could be a problem.

Chris Burti wrote:
> I ought to add that due to the self lubricating nature
> of its composition, it can be tightened to a drip free
> state and the packing gland will remain cool without
> wear on the shaft.
>
> Only the need to pull the speed transducer to prevent
> algae growth on the paddle wheel and occasional
> over-filling of the water tanks prevent dust bunnies
> from collecting in the bilge.
>
> --- Chris Burti <cburti at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> GFO is a goretex based packing material. It is
>> readily
>> available at any local industrial supply for a few
>> dollars. 1/4" size is recommeded.
>>
>> --- June Bruce <brucestanley36 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>     
>>> For the new devotees ... what is a GFO and where
>>> can I get “WWW info” on same?
>>> (Have I correctly picked up that it is to do with
>>> the Stern Gland?).
>>>
>>> hcreech at comcast.net wrote:
>>> I replaced the packing with GFO and am very
>>>       
>> pleased,
>>     
>>> no drips and no heat in 
>>> the shaft. Pretty cool having a dripless packing
>>> gland for only $15.00.
>>> Herb Creech / Cloud Chaser #606
>>>
>>> ALSO
>>> Can you point me to the internet source for
>>>       
>> “leather
>>     
>>> Cover Kits” for the 
>>> helm?
>>>
>>> Steve / Alchemist #909 WROTE:
>>> I bought a leather cover kit from Boat Leather at
>>> the Chicago
>>> boat show a couple years ago.  I couldn't be
>>>       
>> happier
>>     
>>> Thanks
>>> Bruce Stanley
>>> Fantastic Lady #1084 (my new C320 is still to
>>> arrive) / Sydney Australia
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>       
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>>>       
>> Chris Burti
>> "Commitment"
>> Catalina 320, #867, 
>> Farmville, NC
>>
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>>     
>
>
> Chris Burti
> "Commitment"
> Catalina 320, #867, 
> Farmville, NC
>
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