[Public-List] Rudder Stuffing Box

Pier-Andre Bouchard St-Amant pabsta at mykolab.com
Sat Jun 22 20:25:57 PDT 2024


Hello Jonathan, 

I hope you are well. 

The system you describe is the hidden part of the CapHorn self-steering system. The « clutch », two apparent lines above the cockpit floor, can be seen left on the picture. When the clutch is tightened, the connections under the floor become binding and the movements of the windvane are transferred to the rudder. 

The picture does not make it obvious that it is a transmission. The rudder is not there, nor is the connector attaching the lines to the rudder. The complete mechanism can be seen in this picture <https://jeandusud.com/data/index.php/s/5CamrYLK8ZSExEB> taken a few days ago, when I finished the reassembly. 

From the exterior, the CapHorn is quite elegant, as there is nothing except a stainless steel tube stemming out of the transom. This elegance requires a few contorsions to repair at sea but, as opposed to other brands, it can be repaired at sea. A CapHorn windvane forbids an outboard install in the aft lazarette or a liferaft installed aft. That  is a trade-off that suits me 100%, but it may not be acceptable for others. 

The « open/cut floor » concept makes indeed access easy. When I installed the engine, it made all the work in that area much easier, most notably the engine/shaft/sterntube/aperture alignment. Once in the water, I still have to align the engine a second time, check how the engine behaves under load (warranty activation) and further check if the exhaust/waterlock blocks the windvane transmission. Once these tasks are done, the floor will be screwed and sealed again. 

I inherited from the « open floor » design. I have other priorities (notably sailing!), but if I ever have to put efforts on the cockpit floor, my starting point for a new design would be what is on Bill McCoy’s hull. 

Best, 

Pier, #399

p.s. : Jean-du-Sud will be splashed July 3rd, hopefully with the electrical upgrade finished and her name on the hull.
 
--
Pr Pier-André Bouchard St-Amant

Bur.: +1-514-849-3989 #3923
Cell.: +1-514-424-6632
pabsta.qc.ca <http://pabsta.qc.ca/>

> Le 22 juin 2024 à 21:57, Jonathan Bresler via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> a écrit :
> 
> Pier-André,
> 
> That opening (https://www.instagram.com/p/CyWga8kOJ1V/?igsh=M2I2anppcnczOXBr
> )
> makes access easy.....but what is the purpose of the line, several blocks
> and cam cleats
> that are located at and under the aft end of the cockpit?
> 
> Jonathan
> 
> On Fri, Jun 21, 2024 at 7:11 PM Pier-André Bouchard St-Amant via
> Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
>> Another paradigm for accessing the stuffing box and the back of the engine:
>> 
>> https://www.instagram.com/p/CyWga8kOJ1V/?igsh=M2I2anppcnczOXBr
>> 
>> 
>> Best,
>> 
>> Pier #399
>> 
>> Le 21 juin 2024 18 h 52 min 51 s HAE, Mike Lehman via Public-List <
>> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> a écrit :
>>> Been there, done that many times...last time was in the port sail
>>> locker...I started thinking that I was going to celebrate my next birthday
>>> there which was ONLY 7 months away.
>>> On Fri, Jun 21, 2024, 6:42 PM John Irving via Public-List <
>>> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> I agree, getting out is definitely the worst.  I made it out though Judy
>>>> last week.  For a while I was really wishing I had my cell phone, not
>> that
>>>> I could have reached it!  We A30 owners are a tough bunch!
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Friday, June 21, 2024, 2:16 PM, David A. Bardsley via Public-List <
>>>> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>  I'm a glutton for punishment and squeezed my 50yo 6'1" 230lbs body
>> into
>>>>  the stern lazarette to repack the rudder stuffing box, and remove the
>>>>  deck hardware for deck core repairs.  Once you're in, the work goes
>>>>  easily enough.  The key is thoroughly plan the work in advance to
>>>>  minimize the number of excursions in and out.
>>>>  First time getting in, then out, is the hardest.  There is a technique
>>>>  to reorienting oneself from upright to on your side, and vice versa.
>> I
>>>>  recognize this approach isn't for everyone; it's a given that you must
>>>>  not be claustrophobic, and have a certain degree of flexibility.
>>>>  I recognize this technique is not for everyone, but it served me well.
>>>>  YMMV
>>>>  Dave
>>>>  Ginseng #574
>>>> 
>>>>  On Jun 21, 2024 13:00, John Irving via Public-List
>>>>  <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>    Not on a liner boat, but I was finally able to access it through the
>>>>    stern hatch but had some difficulty getting back out!
>>>> 
>>>>    Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
>>>> 
>>>>    On Friday, June 21, 2024, 11:01 AM, Clay Pass via Public-List
>>>>    <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>    Sounds like most are referring to access to rear engine and
>>>>    propeller stuffing box but rudder box is further aft and accessed
>>>>    through port locker.
>>>> 
>>>>    Clay
>>>> 
>>>>> On Jun 21, 2024, at 10:48 AM, Clay Pass <clay.q.pass at gmail.com>
>>>>    wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Go into the port side locker and cut an access hole or remove
>>>>    some of the lower inside panel to gain access. I used a plumbing
>>>>    adjustable spanner wrench to tighten.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Clay
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Jun 20, 2024, at 7:10 PM, Glenn Brooks via Public-List
>>>>    <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Good job! I did the same thing, except needed to replace the
>>>>    entire floor due to some water logged soft spots. The hatch gave me
>>>>    complete access to the back of the engine and hull right back to the
>>>>    lazerrete.  My 60 yo iron and rubber hose exhaust system was rotted
>>>>    and ready to fail, shift cables need replacing the next season, and
>>>>    rudder stuffing box needed new packing. Easy peasy working thru the
>>>>    hatch.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Also relocated the battery bank under the floor, so moved it out
>>>>    of the bilge and onto a new shelf above waterline. Very nice to know
>>>>    I wouldn’t  short out my electrical system with high water in the
>>>>    bilge.  Best upgrade I ever did on the boat.
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Jun 20, 2024, at 3:48 PM, John Johnston via Public-List
>>>>    <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I had the same issue and ended up cutting an appropriately 18x
>>>>    21” opening, reframed the cockpit floor accordingly and installed a
>>>>    hatch that gives me access to the stuffing box and also the rear of
>>>>    my Westerbeke diesel. No regrets-
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On Jun 20, 2024, at 4:47 PM, Jeff Randall via Public-List
>>>>    <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sorry.  After doing poorly executed hot boat yoga and saying
>>>>    words that earned me soap, I finally resorted to cutting a working
>>>>    port in the cockpit floor.  Yes water can invade the bilge in green
>>>>    seas but it is highly unlikely.  I can now adjust the reversing gear
>>>>    while actually seeing into the box and adjust the stuffing box any
>>>>    damn time I want.  Many would say that floor integrity is
>>>>    compromised.  Not sure.  Good luck
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Jeff Randall. Yankee Star 296
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On Jun 20, 2024, at 16:38, John Irving via Public-List
>>>>    <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Does anyone have suggestion on how to tighten the rudder
>>>>    stuffing box on a 1979 A30 liner boat?  On wooden boats we didn’t
>>>>    want to haul we’d dive down with handfuls of sawdust for leaks that
>>>>    would get sucked in and swell up and stop the leak.  I’m not sure
>>>>    about a stuffing box though.
>>>>>>>>> John Irving
>>>>>>>>> Scotch Bonnet
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Jonathan M Bresler
> S/V Constance Alberg 30 #262
> Annapolis/Eastport MD
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