[C320-list] Stuffing box issue

[Rod Boer]

Hi Daryl,

I have also used the two rings of 1/4" GFO for quite a few years and I haven't seen this problem. I did see a similar problem with the original stuffing in regards to the overheating on the maiden voyage from dealer to my marina in 1999.  I noticed it an hour or so after leaving the dealer.  I just loosened the nut and the problem went away. The 1/4" GFO works well on my boat.  Jeff Hare recently reported that that the original 1/4 GFO he installed has 10 years on it. Hope this helps.

Rod Boer
Odyssey, #688 

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Daryl Hunt
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 12:35 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Stuffing box issue

I apologize up front for the long post...   Last year I serviced the 
stuffing box on Believe ('99 C320 #660) with two rings of 1/4" GFO 
Virtually Dripless packing.   When I checked the box midway through my 
first trip after launch (~20nm) I realized I had it too tight.  The bronze retaining nut was too hot to hold.  I immediately stopped to let it cool and loosened the nut so that it was dripping but was alarmed to see very fine bronze particles in the water that was dripping below the 
stuffing box.   I was able to adjust the nut to about 2 drops/minute and 
with no significant heating of the mechanism and that got me through the season. After haul, I pulled back the retaining nut to inspect the shaft for damage.  Other than some discoloration, there didn't seem to be any wear or scoring of the prop shaft.

Fast forward to this spring.. I replaced the packing with 2 new rings of the same GFO being careful not to over tighten the nut. Yesterday I 
launched and headed east on the same trip to Believe's summer home.   I 
checked the stuffing box right after launch and every 10-15 min for the first hour.  I started out with the nut just hand tightened and a drop every 6 sec, leaving it like that to allow for the packing to become seated.  After an hour I noticed the same fine bronze particles below the stuffing box. When I tightened the nut further, maybe 1/4 turn the drips did not slow; another 1/4 turn and the nut started to warm, even though I was still getting drops at about every 10 sec.  Now I'm wondering if the packing rings are actually turning and abrading the inside of the retaining nut.

Has anyone else experienced this?  I'm about ready to go back to flax packing.

Fair winds,
Daryl Hunt
s/v Believe 1999 C320 #660
Rochester, NY - Lake Ontario

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