[C320-list] Shaft packing

[Dave Hupe]

 This is the Gore GFO packing I have used since buying our boat https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015HU7EQA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#descriptionAndDetails  It is 3/16 " square cross section as specified by my boat manual; however, others use 1/4 " square packing.  There is less expensive packing available that sounds the same, but after excellent performance, I didn't want to try to penny pinch on this. 
It is "braided from a filament yarn made from finely ground particles of high quality graphite encapsulated in a Teflon matrix to eliminate graphite migration".  My shaft is stainless steel (not original) and after replacing it following 3 season's of use, the shaft looked pristine. Also, the old packing I removed looked almost brand new. So, I probably could have continued to use it, but I figured replacement (easy) was a good maintenance step for about $7 per year. 
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 (#32)
Holland  MI