[Public-List] Adjusting rudder stuffing box

[Glenn]

For rudder tube maintenance, I cut an 8" hole in the aft cockpit floor, above the stuffing box and now adjust the nut from the cockpit.  Also made up two stuffing box wrenches to grip the two huts - they are 1/8" difference in diameter, and you need two to insure the tube doesn't twistmloose from the skinny little FG reinforcement through the hull. Close up  the opening with a deck plate. much easier todo!

Also built a fiberglass hatch in the front end of the cockpit to access the rear of the engine.  When I bought Dolce everything needed replacement at the rear of the engine - stuffing box packing, exhaust riser, exhaust, rubber shaft tube, hose clamps, shifter cable, etc.  Now with the hatch, I go in and out of the rear engine compartment when ever I want. Not a quick fix, but well worth the effort.

Just a note of caution,  if the packing material is leaking badly, it likely needs to be replaced.  It gets desiccated and shrunken with age, particularly if the boat is out of the water during winters, or sitting at dock and not kept wet.  So just tightening up the nut might not do the job.  

Likewise the rubber shaft hose and clamps should be replaced every 5  or so years. 

Glenn B.
dolce 318
 1381978569.0