stuffing box

[tropicalbuilder]

Hi guys ..
my sailboat (1979) comes with a traditional stuffing box with the box itself screwed on the shaft log and bolted to the hull .
I see that nowdays most of the stuffing boxes are clamped to a hose that is then clamped to the shaft log.
Is this "hose" solution better?? Why?
Should I change to the "hose" arrangement? (I'm already in a major rebuilding project)
I was also thinking about dripless seals .... any advice??

Thanks

[tunnels]

Originally Posted by tropicalbuilder

Hi guys ..
my sailboat (1979) comes with a traditional stuffing box with the box itself screwed on the shaft log and bolted to the hull .
I see that nowdays most of the stuffing boxes are clamped to a hose that is then clamped to the shaft log.
Is this "hose" solution better?? Why?
Should I change to the "hose" arrangement? (I'm already in a major rebuilding project)
I was also thinking about dripless seals .... any advice??

Thanks

Has it given any problems in the past ?? usually has hemp or some kind a graphite imprenated string as a seal inside and packed with grease so if there is a drip you can slacken off the lock nut and tighten the main nut a fraction to tighten the seals and then retighten the locknut again or you could even just pump a little more grease in the grease nipple somewhere ! The hose is only so it will self align a small amount and if the hose or the clips crap out then you have a fast leak instead of a slow leak . suit your self ! if its not broken why try fix it ?? I never seen anyone ever replace anything to do with the older style , :

[PAR]

Unless it's got a problem, I'd just pull a full service on it and worry about the other portions of your project. In other words, inspect the fasteners, remove the gland nut, clean things up, replace the packing and reinstall with new pieces as required. A dripless setup is nice, but not inexpensive, so why tear out what just needs some maintenance, unless you have to.

[FAST FRED]

Use one of the new modern $$$$ (Duramax) shaft packings and its drip free after the first adjustment.

Second choice is a long hose and a grease gun to stop the drips every time you secure the boat.

FF

[jehardiman]

The classic stufing box required a better fit and higher tollerance deadwood bore. The new systems are installed with a sloppy fit large dia sterntube so the hose is needed to allow shaft tollerance float. They are cheaper to build and install, not necessarily a better solution.

[broncobilly60]

I always heard that those type of stuffing boxes should leak a little otherwise the packing is too tight and will burn up.

[Bglad]

Dripless are convenient and fairly reliable but depending on the type may require shaft removal to service. Some allow installation of spare seals inboard on the propeller shaft which you can change on the fly. If you are cruising on a budget (who isn't) stick with the packing gland it is serviceable with new packing from inboard and you can get it anywhere.

[sdowney717]

get the modern GFO marine packing. Runs basically dripless honestly.
Mine does not weep or drip at all.
No need to buy an expensive new setup, uses your old packing nut.
AND it lasts a very very long time.

http://www.gfopacking.com/

I have this on shafts and rudders.
there is no point to using anything else anymore. Unless some people who like to burp their rubber bellows.

Seriously why waste the money for something with rubber bellows and cooling tubes which will need replacing. And you can change GFO packing in the water not that you ever will have to change it. I suppose if the shaft is in terrible condition it will wear.

GFOｮ fiber dripless packing is a braided propeller and rudder shaft packing that you can install and forget about. After 15 years of successfully handling demanding industrial pump applications, it's now proving itself in the marine field, too. It's already being used by the US Navy and Coast Guard and many commercial work and fishing fleets. And, it's approved by the American Bureau of Shipping.