Hinterhoeller Niagara 42 stuffing box accessibility with V drive?

[Shawn0900]

Anyone here ever maintain a Hinterhoeller Niagara 42? Trying to find out how easy it is to access the stuffing box. I hear it’s not accessible due to the V drive.

[tkeithlu]

Hmmm. No responses from Niagara 42 owners. OK. Any V-drive is going to make access to the stuffing box difficult; it's under the engine. Second, designers do not have maintenance access as a priority. They want every possible bit of space for nice stuff that sells boats at boat shows. Therefore, all the rest of the access sucks. Everyone (well, not me; I designed my own engine room) faces this. The Niagara may have worse access than some; it probably has other positive features for your consideration.

So, consider the boat as a package, and if you like it see if you can find one with a Shaft Seal substituted for the stuffing box. Maybe even consider making the change yourself so you can deal with the issue once and then go sailing.

[tkeithlu]

If you are thinking about that one in Rochester, that is one beautiful boat.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

If you are thinking about that one in Rochester, that is one beautiful boat.

Agreed. It's sitting on the hard at my marina and I get a little sad every time I drive past it and wonder why it hasn't sold yet, considering all of the boats around it have sold just fine in the time it's been there.

[Shawn0900]

Yes it's the one in NY I'm referring to. I'm one of those old offbeat cruising boat lovers and this is certainly a great boat. However, I just looked at a Robinhood 40 (Cape Dory/Intrepid) with a V drive and it was a nightmare to access. I could not even fit into the engine compartment to change a belt. Another oddball boat but an awesome Chuck Paine cruiser built like a tank.


The Niagara 42 is is a 7 hour drive for me. I'm considering making the drive. If I could get someone local to take some pics for me and give me their assessment about the access to the stuffing box and the maintenance end of the engine that would be great.