[C320-list] Prop shaft packing

[resloat]

Jerry-Rather than putting up with the dripping on my hull 894 (2002), I 
replaced the OEM flax packing with GFO packing which is uses some form of 
Gortex and looks like the original packing in your boat. You will end up 
with basically a drip less seal by just changing out the packing. You might 
get a tablespoon of water under the packing gland on occasion, but for me 
there is no leakage most all the time when motoring or at the dock.  I did 
this many years ago and it is the best $18 investment made on the boat.  I 
did the switch over on the tarmac before launch.

Packing size for my boat is 1/4 inch even though my owner's manual says it 
is 3/16
inch.  The size to use depending on the space between the shaft and
the inside of the stuffing box.  One of the GFO suppliers site said to 
measured for the size needed by unscrewing the gland nut and finding a drill 
size (1/4 "in my case) that snuggly fit in the space between the shaft and 
the stuffing box.  I bought the GFO packing from http://www.emarineinc.com.

Pick out the old stuff, clean off the shaft and install the new packing.  I 
could only get 2 layers of packing on the first year and added a third the 
next year.  You have to cut the packing very carefully to make a ring around 
the 1 inch shaft so the ends of the ring meet smoothly without any gaps.

Bob Sloat
Savannah 894 (2002)
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jsheets at aol.com>
To: <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 8:16 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Prop shaft packing



I have been told that the flax around the prop shaft should be repacked 
every three years or so. What should I be looking for to indicate this needs 
to be done? I had a steady drip coming from the shaft recently, but 
tightening the nut slowed it down considerably. Will it continue to get 
worse quickly? Thank you all as always for sharing your expertise and 
experience.

Jerry
JellyRoll  #890