[C320-list] Prop shaft packing

[jim brown]

The other "tool" that I've seen used is a straitened fish hook (not barbless). Push it into the packing an pull it out. 

Jim Brown 
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 11/13/13, JJ Morrison <sail-ability at sympatico.ca> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [C320-list] Prop shaft packing
 To: "Catalina List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
 Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2013, 12:27 PM
 
 I use an old dental pick, works great
 if U can get your hands on one. That was on my last boat;
 the C320 has a Tides Marine dripless unit which works
 great.CheersJohnM1999#574
 
 > Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 08:54:13 -0800
 > From: jsea at prodigy.net
 > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
 > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Prop shaft packing
 > 
 > Not as scary as it sounds, after unscrewing the nuts,
 wrap a shop towel around the nut with the male end to slow
 down the incoming water.
 > You will need something to use as a pick to get the old
 packing out of the female nut, this can be a nail or
 anything that can pry the packing loose. Then just follow
 the GFO installation instructions.
 > 
 > Jerry Clayton
 > #988 (2004)
 > Marina Del Rey, Ca
 > 
 > -------- Original message --------
 > From: Cary Dennis Lowe <cdlowe1769 at sbcglobal.net>
 
 > Date: 11/12/2013  7:48 PM  (GMT-08:00) 
 > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
 
 > 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
 > >>