On our
Hallberg Rassy 42 the
rudder shaft is sealed with a conventional stuffing box. The clearance between the shaft and the box is 10 mm. However the
depth of the box is only 30 mm so with 3 layers of 10 mm packing it is not possible to screw the box down. If I use 2 layers the box bottoms out against the lock nut before tightening down on the packing even if the lock nut is backed right off. If I use 8 mm packing will it expand enough to fill the gap and provide a good seal? Or would using 2 layers of 10 mm and one of 8 mm
work? If so which layer should be the 8 mm? Any
advice much appreciated.