Centerboard stuffing box

[mrlee]

Hi, How do I change the stuffing box for the centerboard on my Irwin 30? Is this the same as a prop stuffing box? Please advise before we sink!!
Thanks

[UNCIVILIZED]

Pics please, as well as a better description of the problem. Also, I'm guessing that there's a class association, or similar, for the boat, which has a "file" full of notes on this issue.

[Hudson Force]

If not the pictures, then maybe a description. I assume that the stuffing is to be changed and not the stuffing box. Also, the location where water is leaking into the boat is likely not at the centerboard, but the cable that lifts the centerboard,- right?
So, the centerboard cable passes through a tube and this tube is maybe capped with a threaded stuffing box near where the cable is wound onto a drum?

Give us a photo or a clear detailed description.

[mrlee]

Hi and thanks for the replies...Here are the only 2 pix that I can get to upload. The one with the jigsaw is where I cut the floor out to find only more fiberglass with water running over the top of it. So the leak is forward...
With the floorboard removed in front of the toilet, all from there forward is bone dry.The thru hulls are ok as well as the transducers (depth/speed).
I would think I must tear up the floor and get an idea of what is there...how hard is it to remove the bulkhead?
Thanks a lot...

[Hudson Force]

We need more information! Is this a Competition 30, a Citation 30, or another? What's the year? No photos were presented. Can you not see the point of water entering?

[roverhi]

Don't know your boat but most boats have the centerboard cable running in a tube with enclosed sheaves where it turns corner. There is no stuffing box just the exit point of the cable from the tube well above the waterline. The way you'd have a stuffing box is if there was a rod that lowered the board and passed through a stuffing box where it goes through the hull. Haven't seen any of that type but could be in your boat.

[redsky49]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Don't know your boat but most boats have the centerboard cable running in a tube with enclosed sheaves where it turns corner. There is no stuffing box just the exit point of the cable from the tube well above the waterline. The way you'd have a stuffing box is if there was a rod that lowered the board and passed through a stuffing box where it goes through the hull. Haven't seen any of that type but could be in your boat.

+1

Is the actual point of leakage established?

Could it be leaking at a sheave or turning point of the cable?

Is the cable conduit/tube leaking?

[mrlee]

Hi all, well, it saddens me to say that it is NOT the delrin rod and stuffing box. A scuba diver went down 3 times to confirm that there is a hole in my boat! This is after I paid a marina in Kemah to do a full bottom job! There is some shoddy patchwork and it was painted over. I am not a happy camper! There are no haul outs here in Tampico and I don't know what I'll do now.It's a 3 day sail to S. Padre Island...I am glad that my job kept me from tearing more of the floor up today as well.
I want to thank you ALL for the advice and for trying to help me figure this thing out. This site and the people on it are the BEST there is.