Stuffing Box Hose Has Died

[Roniszoro]

...and there was quite a bit of water pouring into the boat. I used some super tape to reduce the water intrusion to a steady drip that the bilge pump can handle.

Can this hose be replaced without a haul out and if so, how?

Also, how frequently should one replace the stuffing box hose?

Thank you for your reply's.

[model 10]

I can change it on our boat without to much trouble. Tranny flange, slide the shaft back.. Water through the cutlass is no big deal. Make sure you get hose that has been stored flat so it does not have any curve, that causes the packing to run crooked.

[boatpoker]

Don't think I'd recommend an in-water replacement for a first timer on their own.

[Bill Seal]

If you have a bearing with a zerk on the back side of the hose, maybe just pump it full of grease to slow down the water.

[tkeithlu]

Most important, what do you replace it WITH? My Tidewater SureSeal came with a vinyll only lightweight hose that had no business being below the waterline. I replaced it with fabric layer fuel hose of the same diameter and the usual two SS hose clamps. Think. If this pops when I'm not watching, what are the consequences? If you choose to do it in the water, mount the other end of the hose first, so it's pull one off, push another on, and get the size right.

[a64pilot]

Sounds primitive, but once you have the shaft slid back, dive the boat with a toilet wax ring you get at the hardware store, pack that thing around the shaft and cutlass on the outside, it will do a decent job of sealing the leaks
But, if it were me and I could, I would haul the boat and pull the shaft and inspect the cutlass, I suspect it too needs replacing.
Shaft may be scored etc. pull it all apart and inspect, then you know.


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[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

I replaced it with fabric layer fuel hose of the same diameter and the usual two SS hose clamps.

Wet exhaust hose is the wrong hose. You should only use 6 ply stuffing box hose.
This is a Compass Marine photo to illustrate.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Roniszoro

...and there was quite a bit of water pouring into the boat. I used some super tape to reduce the water intrusion to a steady drip that the bilge pump can handle.

Can this hose be replaced without a haul out and if so, how?

Also, how frequently should one replace the stuffing box hose?

Thank you for your reply's.

Depending on your set up, yes this hose can be replaced in the water. Mine has very little water that gets past the cutless bearing. If yours has gone they may have used exhaust hose which won't stand up to the oils in the grease. You will need appropriate sized stuffing box hose which is quite thick. You should then never have to replace it again.

But, if you can. Do your self a favour and get rid of the old stuffing box and replace it with a PSS seal

[Stu Jackson]

Some folks have cutlass bearings built into the hull. Others have the bearings in their struts, which is a whole different ballgame, because then your shaft runs through the stern tube to the strut.

[HopCar]

Buck Algonquin sells short pieces of the correct hose. Your local marine store can easily order what you need. You need to know the ID of the hose you need.

[UNCIVILIZED]

I think that replacing the hose with the boat in the water is possible, though not recommended. And likely, the biggest concerns are water ingress, shaft retention, & fitting the new hose onto the various hardware bits. The former two of which, to me, are the easiest to handle. Having dealt with them before.

How does one heat up a heavy walled hose like that, when it's on the shaft, in order to fit it onto the various hardware bits? As even with heat to soften it to aid in it's stretching, attaching such hose usually is accomplished via some choice words, & dinged up hands.

[oldsalt_1942]

Obviously the only sane solution is to buy a completely new boat...

[Cheechako]

Maybe ask yourself what the condition of the related parts is also...? How long since the Cutlass bearing was changed? Did the stuffing box drip much? IF the boat sat without use often, is the shaft corroded in the stuffing box?
Maybe it's time to haul it out and inspect/rebuild all the related stuff and know what you've got?
Or maybe you know the condition of it all already, if so ignore this!

[mikecambrai]

If you are in an area with tides, you could go into a mudbert, or careen the boat on the beach if the keel is below the prop. Or lean her against a dock wall between tides?

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by mikecambrai

If you are in an area with tides, you could go into a mudbert, or careen the boat on the beach if the keel is below the prop. Or lean her against a dock wall between tides?

Gee dude, that's a bit severe to do to a mono. Would it not be simply a lessor risk to replace it in the water?

On a dock wall is a good idea