Where should stuffing box drips go?
There's a molded tray under the engine which will fill with water. (Even though I re-packed the stuffing box this year, I imagine I'm having problems due to nasty prop vibration.) The water doesn't seem to drain anywhere, but when underway tends to leak out around the companionway step.
Is there supposed to be some connection between this area and the bilge, which happens to be clogged on my boat? Or are the two purposefully not supposed to be connected to prevent oil from getting into the bilge, and stuffing box drips are just supposed to evaporate?
Also, I've noticed various large diameter air hoses around that area, and what looks like a bilge blower, which seems surprising for a diesel-powered boat. Is that standard?
Thanks,
Ryan Pierce, #337
rdpierce@pobox.com
