Leaking Rudder Post

[dissent]

Hi all,

Going to start with a picture and not too many words. My rudder post goes through the hull in a stuffing-box type fitting. It is leaking, slowly, and when you look at the pictures, it'll be obvious why. Can I do anything to this while the boat is in the water to improve the situation? How can I make it better/stronger/faster when I do rebuild it? Why not have a tube that the post lives in that connects to the deck?

[landonshaw]

Good morning, I am also about to tighten or change my steering box. I am in the water and don’t want to be hauled. Don Casey has a good article on this subject and suggests plumbers putty applied to the exterior of the boat prior to beginning the project. Of course dive back and remove after completion. I am hoping to only tighten but may have to replace.

[Efraim]

Originally Posted by dissent

Why not have a tube that the post lives in that connects to the deck?

At one time a rudder tube was pretty much a standard safety feature on any boat. Now it seems most people don't even know what a rudder tube is. Go with the rudder tube idea, and right to the deck.

[Sailmonkey]

until you haul out, take off all the hose clamps and throw away, then replace with two good clamps (awab, or awa) the sort that have no perforations for the worm screw. once this is done, open the packing gland and insert some of the no-drip moldable packing dough. tighten the gland to your tillers liking and sail the boat.