No Room for Stuffing Box Service

[ndutton]

It's generally accepted locally to replace the packing as part of a regular haulout, every 3 to 4 years.

[Ball Racing]

Thank you sir.

[ndutton]

Originally Posted by Ball Racing

Thank you sir.

Sir? SIR?? What the H???

[Bigeye]

Don't we all love a good discussion thread? Thanks for all of the ideas. I had checked with Sabre a few months ago and they confirmed that there is little room to work with. I'll check with some other Sabre owners.

Here's a pic from the starboard side. Perhaps there is a bit of room to slide the hose back.

I very much want to NOT remove the shaft and coupler since that would require removing the gas tank just to get to it and messing with that may cause more problems. What's the term, cascading problems? I'd rather try and get by this season and start a major project in the fall.

I like the idea about trying to slide the tube down into the hose a little bit but the end may be barbed which could be a bear but worth a try and I like the idea about adding material without picking out the existing stuffing if we don't have enough room.

Because the shaft is stainless, it might not be as locked up with the nuts as a bronze shaft might be. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks,

Big Eye
Salem, MA

[ndutton]

If the drip is under control I'd say enjoy your season. Looking at the recent picture, I think once this starts you'll be on a slippery slope. Off season is best. I'm hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

On behalf of the industry I so enjoyed, regarding this installation and others done similarly you have my apology.

[CalebD]

Originally Posted by ndutton

On behalf of the industry I so enjoyed, regarding this installation and others done similarly you have my apology.

Wasn't it Islander Yachts you once worked for Neil?

[tartansailboat]

just a note of caution about the technique of separating the shaft coupling from the shaft assuming the coupling is well frozen. The standard technique consists of getting longer grade 8 bolts and inserting a socket of the right diameter between the coupling and the rear engine flange, then tightening the bolts until the socket presses out the shaft from the coupler. I worried that if too much force is used on the bolts, the engine flange could be bent and that is another can o worms.

Moyer sells a "puller" that works on the engine flange but I used it to press out the shaft from the coupler without touching the rear flange on the engine. Turned out the shaft was easy to press out but it if had been frozen, the yard monkeys could have easily bent the engine flange which is quite thin. Moyer's puller was about $50, well worth the risk of bending the engine flange.

[ndutton]

Originally Posted by CalebD

Wasn't it Islander Yachts you once worked for Neil?

Yes, Islander was one of them. Why? Do I need to apologize for something else?

[CalebD]

Originally Posted by ndutton

Yes, Islander was one of them. Why? Do I need to apologize for something else?

No apologies necessary.
Not everyone knows that your level of knowledge about sailboats comes from both sides of the fence; owning and manufacturing.
I forget where I read about your history with the boat building industry.
In any case, we are all glad that you take the time to share your knowledge and humor with us here.

[sastanley]

So, did Sabre build the boat that way thinking they would never need to replace the stuffing in the stuffing box?

I mean really..two additional inches of clearance to slide that stupid nut forward and this would be an easy job..

Imagine the diesels later on that have a real transmission attached to the back end of the motor & I wonder how much exposed shaft there would be.

[edwardc]

Originally Posted by sastanley

So, did Sabre build the boat that way thinking they would never need to replace the stuffing in the stuffing box?

It's simple: just remove the engine and pull the coupler!

Didn't Ford build one of the original Mustangs with a large engine where it was impossible to remove one of the spark plugs?

[ndutton]

Originally Posted by CalebD

I forget where I read about your history with the boat building industry.

Hmmm, history or rap sheet?

Thanks for the comment. It's been a lifetime around boats, mainly sail but some power too. About half of my industry experience was hands-on, the other half administration. I preferred hands-on but that's just me.

I'm one of many around here, a part of the varied and considerable experience that makes up this forum, yourself included. I've never seen a fuel tank as contaminated as yours was so in that respect you brought experience to the table that few others could.

Back on topic, whoever installed the engine/driveline combination that is the subject of this thread should be shot. Better yet, HE should be forced to work on it. What a moron. I still vote for a PSS, be done with it.

[mikeysail]

I can relate to what you're going through. My Ranger 29 has the same issue, although perhaps not quite as bad. Fortunately, I was able to snug up the adjustment to stop the drips while the shaft is not turning. Here are my before and after pix. I hope these are viewable.
Mike

before



after

[ndutton]

Originally Posted by mikeysail

My Ranger 29 has the same issue

Oh-oh, I worked for them too and knew the president (who was later the president at Islander), administration, engineering staff and assembly guys. I thought they were all pretty good.

More apologizing to do.

[mikeysail]

Hey, no problem Neil!!

The stuffing box issue is more of an inconvenience than anything else- other than that, I love my Ranger!

Mike

[ndutton]

Originally Posted by mikeysail

I love my Ranger!

I can tell you the chief engineer for Jensen Marine, George Bristol, who worked closely with Gary Mull on the design and development of all the Rangers passed away a few years ago. I'm still in touch with his daughter and son-in-law. One of his engineers owned the quarter tonner I crewed on for a season, another of his engineers turned me onto a used Catalina 22 he knew of for sale. It was my first "big" boat and I loved her dearly. Pic attached of her in her slip in Dana Point, east basin circa 1974.

George was absolutely the best. How that inconvenience (abomination to me) of a driveline installation passed muster is beyond me.

[msauntry]

I've done a few of these and here's my two cents...

First off, enjoy your sailing season and don't look down in your bilge for the rest of the season.

Then come fall, prepare for some good fun. Start dousing the corroded stuff with PB Blaster or similar product weeks before you start the project. You'll be removing the engine so you can get in there properly. Before removing, look at the mounting to see if the engine can slide forward at all.

Forget messing with the coupling or cutting the shaft. You have no room and no access to get in there. Pull the propeller and slide the whole thing through when you pull the engine.

Couplings usually aren't good after cleaning the corrosion off. Get a new one ($100). Moyer has them. I'd recommend the split hub if there is room, but you might not have it. Call Moyer and see if they can measure the two types for you.

Also recommend the PSS shaft seal. They do work great.

[Bigeye]

Right. Come the fall, I'll pull the engine. I do have to pump out the bilge every few days or so but that keeps it nice and fresh! In the meantime, I am spraying the stuffing box w/ PB blaster (staying away from the hose).

Then all I will have to do is get the damn prop off!!!! (4 years trying with pullers, prop knockers, and heat and pb blaster).

Big Eye

[roadnsky]

Originally Posted by mikeysail

...I love my Ranger!

Oh boy! We're talking Rangers now?!

My Ranger 30 has plenty of room for the stuffing box maintenance.
Big engine room access too. Almost equal to the C-30's.

[Mo]

Jerry...every time I see your engine compartment I look with envy at the cleanliness and neatness. Nice hot exhaust sitting back there as well.

You do run a tight ship, congratulations on keeping her so.

[tony201]

First of all please excuse the pictures if the're to big, I've never posted here before but I've read the more pictures the better .
I'm in the SF Bay area so our weather here is mild compared to you East Coast guys, I rember thoes days, Was born in Fairhaven.
I guess its that time of the year for the dreaded maintiance so why not get started.
While reading about the packing boxes I thought I'd check mine out, Not good, while loosening the jam nut it broke in two.
It seems nothing is standard in size when it comes to the threads on the lock and packing nuts so had to get the whole unit, hose, clamps & packing box from Svendsen's in Alameda , $68.40, not bad.
Made sure everything was loose and redy to come apart and did it in the water at the dock.
I think you can see water shooting out the shaft tube.
Tony

[Kelly]

Wow! Cavernous room around the aft section of that A4. Amazing...

[sastanley]

Great work Tony...I am sure it felt like the boat was sinking, but how much really came in during the swap out?

You are making everyone jealous with all the working area you have.

[Kelly]

Now that I think about those pictures, it looks like the shaft is just sitting there in the shaft log while the water is streaming in. If it had been me, I think my first born would have been down there with his hand bolted to the shaft...I would have been tremendously worried that the shaft slowly slip out of the boat JUST before I could grab it. Glub, glub, plunk.

But I guess the cutlass bearing was holding it...?

[lat 64]

Originally Posted by edwardc

It's simple: just remove the engine and pull the coupler!

Didn't Ford build one of the original Mustangs with a large engine where it was impossible to remove one of the spark plugs?

This is a very good point. Good on ya Ed!
You would not even have to undo the gas line or any of the wires. This would work on my boat but maybe the engine mounts would not slide on Bigeye's.

It seems Ed is always the one to step back a bit and look at a new angle.

Niel,
Horray for the Cat 22, My first "big" boat too.