stuffing box shaft packing cal 39 1978

[cal 39 guy]

I need to change the packing in my stuffing box,
the boat is in the water, and there does not seem to
be much room to back the big nut on stuffing off because the engine
coupler is very close to the nut. does anyone know if this can be done
in water. thanks

[Cheechako]

It can be done in the water but not advised...... especially if room is quite limited. Dont know if you have room for it, but sometimes you can put one more ring of packing in to hold until you haul next time....