Rudder Stuffing Box

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:05 am

Been messing around again, sticking my nose in places where I should just leave alone - causing myself more work - but HEY, it's a Trojan! I have a single rudder and noticed that I'm getting a small amount of water weeping up the shaft through the stuffiing box. I know the prop shaft should have a few drops a minute and that's ok. When there's water bopping up against the transom I've noticed extra water coming into the cabin bilge (just too lazy to look in the engine comparment) and I always thought I had a small leak around the swim platform brackets. But now I know better......

I don't think the rudder shaft should have ANY leakage. It's not spinning and does not need water lubrication like the prop shaft. I can tighten it down but may have to repack when she's out of the water this winter.

Advice please, oh great and learned Trojan owners!!

Thanks

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:07 pm

I had the same problem with my rudder shafts last winter and just tightened them down untill they just quit leaking...... my prop shafts drip about once every 15 sec. while running..... no greatness here but lots of learn-ed.

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:13 pm

I repacked my rudder stuffing box several years ago when I replaced the steering gear, it wasn't that hard to do. I have it tightened just enough so it does not drip, and can steer the boat with hardly any resistance. I would try and tighten it a little and see if it helps, but make sure you don't tighten it too much and cause excess resistance on the steering mechanism. As for my shaft, I went dripless when I repowered and am very happy with it.