Stuffing box

stevewy · Post by **stevewy** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:12 am

I "splashed" yesterday. The boat ran great, however, when I arrived at home I discovered that my port stuffing box has a severe leak. Water is dripping at a steady stream. I attempted to tighten it, but it appears that the stuffing may be totally gone. The starboard side has a small drip (normal I think) and there is about a 3/4" gap that can be tightened. On the leaking port side there is no gap, the coupling (is that the right term?) is flush tight. It's expensive to take the boat back out of the water. So, 2 questions; 1) can the stuffing be changed with the boat in the water, and 2) if not changed what damage could occur (shaft problems?)?. I don't plan on using the boat much this year (with the astronomical gas prices......I paid $4.59 filling up on the way home). But, obviously I don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish by operating the boat and causing more serious problems. As always and advice is appereciated. Thanks, Steve

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:28 am

Steve, You can probably put a ring or two in that stuffing box to buy you time without pulling the boat but it's not the best thing to do. If you practice a bit you can remove and replace all the packing with the boat still in the water, just work fairly quickly and make sure your bilge pump is working properly. I would not leave it like it is. I think you might want to use GFO packing, it leaks much less at rest and very little or not at all in use.

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:45 am

I always change the packing while in the water. The water pressure helps push out the old packing. Cut3-4 rings per side in advance and make sure the pumps are working. The water flow is not that bad. I used GFO last year; great stuff.

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:47 am

I have had the same problem before, try and add some packing to get you by for now. You can definitely do it in the water, 1/4" GFO from emarine.com will do the trick. You need one pack which makes about 4 rings. Add two or three rings, lightly tighten, run the boat, check for leaks, re-tighten. Not a big deal. Bill 1989 33 FBC Cummins 6BTA's > ~------- [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:58 am

I could be wrong, but I don't think you should mix GFO with the old packing. Since the old packing will still be in place you will not be able to tighten it down as much as the old packing will score the shaft. I would either replace it all with GFO or put a couple of extra rings of the old stuff in to get you through the year. As far as the price of fuel is concerned, I'm not going to let it stop me from going out. It's not like they've been giving the stuff away for free for the last couple of years anyway.

stevewy · Post by **stevewy** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:08 am

Thank you very much for the quick responses.Doug: Love your attitude regarding the price of fuel, and you're right. I will probably stay closer to home and do more low speed running and fewer weekend trips. But, living in Michigan with a short season, I'll make sure I get out, even with the price. Just as a sidenote; I asked the forum last year for suggestions on boosting my RPM's and even considered re-powering. I followed the consenus advice and recognized that re-powering to diesel was not a great option (considering the cost). I did have new distributers put in and changed both fuel pumps. Yesterday the boat ran great. I cruised easily at 3000 RPM and averaged around 23 MPH. I hit top end at 4000 and boosted the speed to 28 MPH (didn't keep it there for long). I was very happy with the performance. I haven't been on the forum much lately, and just noticed the need for donations. I'll send a check to keep this thing running. You guys advice is invaluable......especially for someone like me, who loves boating but have little or no mechanical skill and knowledge. Thanks again

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:16 am

My present Bertram has dripless stuffing boxes. But evey other boat I've owned didn't have dripless and I always repacked them with the boat in the water without any problems. Buzz

skyking · Post by **skyking** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:38 am

Steve, I haven't been around the forum much the past 6 months or so, so I'm not up to date with you or your boat...but your 33Bertram will hit 23mph's at 3,000 rpm's ???? I gotta find out what your doing right. At 3,200 I'm only doing 17knts. + or - depending on load, and I'd estimate 35gals/hr. at that speed. I'm also wondering if your top end at 4,000 is WOT.....I thought you should get at least 4,600 rpms ???? Please let me know...thanks Ken AIM: skyking4ever + 3 hrs. EST