F36 Stuffing box or rugged leak?

fdean396 · Post by **fdean396** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:20 pm

My forward bilge is kicking on frequently. I understand it could be my stuffing boxes or rudders. How hard it it to tighten the stuffing boxes or repair the leak if it is at the rudder fittings? The stuffing boxes have been tightened in the past but did not stop the accumulation of water in the forward bilge. Is this something that should be done by a mechanic?

Any comments would be appreciated!

Frank

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:43 am

I had the same problem of water gathering on my 1984 F36. Found that the threads on the drain plug were leaking removed everything when it was out of the water and resealed it. No more issues at this point.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:39 am

You will need to look and see where the water is coming from .

If the stuffing boxes are leaking (Remember some drip is normal and needed ) It maybe time to repack them . If the rubber hose is leaking ,the boat would need to be pulled . couplers remove from the shafts and shafts slid back . remember some drip is normal and there for some water in the forward bilge is .

dodgeem · Post by **dodgeem** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:08 pm

Had the same problem a few months back, repacked the stuffing boxes with GFO and re tightened after a few trips and it seems better. I was forced to look since I was monitoring the engines the entire time and managed to see it happening.

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:38 pm

do a search on here for "stuffing box" and you'll find lots of info.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:49 am

The rudders are fairly easy to tighten as well. Like Wowzer said - do a search ...