J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Leaking packing seal

Not used to direct drives. Water leak where shaft enters packing seal I guess you call it. Easy fix? Any good info to repair or replace?

It could be just that you need to add more packing. Many including me have replaced the traditional packing type seal with a dripless seal. Check out the PYI Inc. Packless Shaft Seal. You need to know the diameter of the shaft and the diameter of the shaft log (fiberglass tube the shaft runs though). On Rhapsody, the shaft log is 1.75" diameter, and the shaft is 1" diameter. You should measure your boat to be sure.

get a couple of pipe wrenches and give it a tweak of tighten for a start ... that might get you a few more years out of it.
V

wow could be that simple. I'll tighten tomorrow (but it does look pretty corroded, and check the packing. The sad day is Friday when it comes out of the water for the winter. (all i could get booked at the marina). Great sail today though! Thanks
Just a thought though the engine has quite a vibration at 2300mand up, thought I might check the shaft for balance if looking at the seal.

if it's corroded, I suggest you wait until you pull the boat before trying to tighten it. Best to keep water out of the people tank so if it breaks, you don't have an emergency repair in your hand.

also look at the folding prop. I have one at the factory being redone ... because apparently the Prior Owner ran over a mooring chain or something ... as the pin was seriously bent. They called last week to say they had realigned everything and were doing the final polish when they noticed stress cracks in the blades ... but the hub was good.

So anyway I have another prop with a bad hub and good blades ... and went for a new prop for Vee Jay 2.

But with the hub and pin bent the blades don't open equally and that can cause some problems as well including serious problems getting power in reverse.

v

v

Thanks Bill
I have been watching it drip for weeks now and planned on fall repair out of the drink. Keeping people tank dry is good.
Regards

Thanks V
I did notice not much backin up power. I'll see if a machine shop can balance. The previous owner did have the alignment checked and new motor mounts.
Regards

FYI - if you do not have a dripless then it MUST drip - albeit slowly. Water is the lubricant so if you tighten it too much you will fry your packing and then it will leak more.

DB

Thanks David
You know the question, how do I tell and how much tighten?