[C320-list] Prop shaft packing

[Cary Dennis Lowe]

Thank you everybody for the advice!!

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 13, 2013, at 9:40 AM, "resloat" <resloat at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Dennis-I helped a friend convert to GFO packing while his boat was in the water.  Towels used to keep the water intrusion to a minimum.  I don't think we had more that a pint of water leak in over the 45 minutes to take out the old and put in the good.
> 
> Bob Sloat
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cary Dennis Lowe" <cdlowe1769 at sbcglobal.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 9:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Prop shaft packing
> 
> 
> Just curious. Has about done this while the boat is still in the water? Some of my sailing friends say they have done it.  I think that it is risky. Any advise is appreciated.
> 
> Thanks
> Dennis
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On Nov 12, 2013, at 5:19 PM, jsheets at aol.com wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks for the response Bob. Very helpful.
>> 
>> Jerry Sheets
>> 
>>> On Nov 12, 2013, at 9:08 AM, "resloat" <resloat at comcast.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Further on GFO packing.  E Marine now has a video on installing GFO packing. I just noticed it.  See  http://www.emarineinc.com.  For the C320 the thin locking nut must first be backed off the large packing gland nut in order to get to the packing.  It is not hand tight and requires 2 good wrenches to loosen the thin nut.  One wrench on the thin nut and the other on the packing gland.
>>> 
>>> Bob Sloat
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "resloat" <resloat at comcast.net>
>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 9:48 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Prop shaft packing
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> 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
>>> 
>