[LordGothington]

I have been pretty conservative when tightening.

I'll tighten it so that it only drips every minute or so when the shaft is not turning. Then motor for 10-12 hours and it will be dripping once a second when the shaft is not turning.

I am not sure how much is is dripping underway immediately after I tighten it -- because I am trying to dodge towboats and not run aground. Solo cruising on rivers makes it tough to spend a lot of time with my head in the engine compartment.

There is always a chance something is fowled on the prop -- but the noise has been there since I put it in the water. That said, I launched it in the Chicago river, so maybe it got immediately fowled.

I guess I should also add that I have been running down silty rivers like the Mississippi -- but none of the locals think the mud could be causing the stuffing to wear out faster.