[C320-list] Stuffing box issue

[Jeff Hare]

I think Bob and Doug are on to it.  

There wouldn't be any reason to replace the GFO that I could think of in this amount of time, even if you got it a bit too tight to start with.  Just back it off like you did until it doesn't drip and isn't hot to hold and you should be ok.  Give it some time.

As you can tell from when you installed it, the GFO is quite smooth and soft (almost slippery) and it doesn't really make sense to me for that soft non-abrasive material to be abrading the shaft enough to see flakes in such a short time, so looking for another cause is the right path.  Weak motor mounts can allow for excessive vibration especially when throttling down and maybe the shaft is whipping a bit and hitting the shaft log.  Bronze shafts are more likely to whip than the harder stainless ones, especially if you have a heavy prop.

 -Jeff Hare


-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Doug Treff
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 1:52 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Stuffing box issue

Daryl,

Did you launch and make that long trip before the boat had been in the water 24 hours? After the hull has a chance to return to it's normal shape, the alignment of the engine/shaft could change and your problem may resolve itself. Give it a few days to rest and then see how it goes.
If it's still a problem, an alignment could be in your future.

A friend of mine who has a cradle for his 320 - he's not on this list - had trouble last winter with the door on his head compartment not closing properly. The yard mechanic refused to fix it for him until the boat had been launched in the spring, with the reasoning that it may resolve itself. It did - within 48 hours of launch, the door was working perfectly again. If the hull can deform that much - to impact a door closing - I have to imagine the shaft alignment could suffer as well.

I also notice a difference with my packing after being afloat for a few days, because the long winter dries out the packing. After you relaunch, it needs time to settle in.

--
Doug Treff
September Song #350
doug at treff.us

On Thu, May 25, 2017, at 01:18 PM, Robert Dean wrote:
> I had the same issue,gold dust in the water. My problem was the shaft 
> was not running true. I had the shaft and engine alignment done.I have 
> a season on it and haven't noticed any more of the filings in the 
> water. It also runs a lot smoother.
> Bob DeanJust Chillin 550Worton Creek Md
>