[Public-List] Rudder Post leak

[Gary Barker]

It is not a good feeling.  Getting on the boat and seeing the floor  
boards of the sole floating.  The batteries were worn down because  
the automatic bulge pump switch had cycled too much.  I got pumped  
out, but every day when I checked I was taking on 6-9inches of water  
in the bilge.   At first I thought it was the stuffing box and  
cutlass bearing.  Finally saw where it was coming from- a steady seep  
from where the rudder shaft goes through.  Has anyone ever had a lead  
from the rudderpost?  I have access somewhat through a hatch on the  
floor of the cockpit, if I were a midget contortionist.  How else do  
you go about fixing a leak from that place?  Has anyone had a similar  
problem?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Gary Barker
"Rune" #307