Stuffing Box Dilemma

[marigot]

On our Tartan 42, the old stuffing in the stuffing box waS in the packing nut. Should we put the new stuffing back in the nut or onto the shaft like the internet and Nigel CaLder indicate?

PleASE HELP!

[Astrid]

It depends on exactly what kind of stuffing box you have. Flexible stuffing boxes usually have a large female nut which screws on over the shaft tube extension and on these the packing material is usually forced into the recess of the nut.

Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

In fixed stuffing boxes, the packing is usually placed around the shaft and packed into the stern tube recess around the shaft. The female nut in this case has a spacer which compresses the packing material to form a seal.

[marigot]

we found a very clear answer: Thanks!


"If you want to stick with traditional packing here's a photo based article showing each and every step: Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box Photo Gallery by Maine Sailing at pbase.com