Soo, how tight should the stuffing box be.?

[Chief Engineer]

If it is on the hard tighten with your hand....when you launch....have wrench in hand and tighten it until shaft stops dripping

[GWB]

Thanks for the feedback. The boat is in the water......I went down today and loosened untill water was coming out. Then I tightened the stuffing nut untill it stopped dripping. I then tightened the locknut being very carefull not to let the stuffingnut rotate. It stated dripping again!
I think my stuffing box threads are stretched...I'm going to buy a dripless seal online tonight.

I did take the hose and stuffing box all the way off and slide them down the shaft....the water comes in past the cutless bearing quite slowly and I feel confidant that I can install the dripless seal in the water.

Thanks for all the help

[Chief Engineer]

Did you alternate the rings?

Did you run the engine/readjust?

[GWB]

Did alternate the rings - but have not run the engine yet