prop shaft repacking

chauzer · Post by **chauzer** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:48 pm

i have gotten different opinions about weather i should repack my prop shafts. my boat has been out of the water for 2 years and my opinion is that better safe then sorry. what do you guys think?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:28 pm

I would after 2 years its dried up and will leak like crazy. I would do the rudder shafts also

jimbo36 · Post by **jimbo36** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 11:19 am

It is a matter of choice. Packing is pretty resiliant stuff and long lasting (20+ years in freshwater) First, check the amount of travel left in the packing nuts. If there is lots, they will adjust up. I have had several boats out of the water for longer periods without difficulty. Packing is highly impregnated with wax. I have never heard of them drying up while out water.

David Kane · Post by **David Kane** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:09 pm

I'm going to have to lean in Prowlerfish's favor on this one. My boat was out of the water for 2 yrs. Repacked the prop shafts before launching last year. By the end of the season, found rudder shafts leaking. In process of having them repacked now for this season. If nothing else, you have piece of mind bring the packing to a known state.

Also, if you have backing boards for the prop shaft strut bolts, check them. They may be under the engine(s), hard to spot, & you know how it goes-if it's not conveniently in sight, it's out of mind. If any rot, replace. Be sure to seal the area where the feet of the strut(s) mate with the hull-use something like 3M 5200.

How's your zincs? They may need attention also.