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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Stuffing Boxes

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trptelf
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USA
113 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/20/2013 : 14:31:35

Inboards - Has anyone tried the packing material available from Catalina Direct that is supposed to create a drip-less seal which is much cheaper than replacing the entire seal such as with a PSS Shaft Seal?

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/1352/packing-kit-drip-less-stuffing-box.cfm

Thanks in advance for your input.

Bill and Erin
Formerly of Cat25 WK/TR
and Cat25 FK/SR

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2013 : 17:31:54

I've been using that stuff for 12 years. It worked just fine, but it is now "way old technology."

Try this, it includes a link to the newest Ultra X material, better than Gore.

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box_packing

Edited by - on

trptelf
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113 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2013 : 18:10:35

Thanks. Duramax it is. I asked my marina if they could do a drip-less packing for me this spring and I was quoted the price for traditional flax and then hundreds for a PSS. It was as if the service manager had never heard of the alternate products. This is a serious sailboat operation on Lake Michigan, and my 25 is probably the smallest boat they service. Does it seem unusual that they didn't know what I was talking about if these products have been around for a decade? Or are there reasons why they wouldn't have these alternatives? I asked if I purchased the product and brought it in if they could install it, and he said yes. Do other marinas stock and use this stuff?

Thanks again,

Edited by - trptelf on 01/20/2013 18:35:35

Stu Jackson C34
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844 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2013 : 12:21:17

Can't say who may stock it or not. Every yard is different. The beauty of the internet is that we can learn something new every day. I originally wrote that article in 1999!!! And have updated it, as you've seen, a few times since.

I strongly suggest YOU do the work. It's a safety issue, easy to do, you'll learn something new (and easy) and when it comes time to adjust it, YOU will know how to do it.

The first time took me a long time, while in the water (the boat did NOT sink!) and now it's like second nature to do - only need it once every few years anyway, unless you pull the boat and leave the packing to dry out.

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 01/21/2013 12:21:50

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2013 : 12:31:14

I just replaced my stuffing box (not just repacking it) and found these two articles to be very helpful:
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/pss_shaft_seal

I didn't put in a PSS, but the article on how to covers some useful things for replacing a traditional stuffing box as well. In the stuffing box article he talks about why he doesn't like the miracle dripless packing. The big issue is that it doesn't allow proper cooling or allow for the stuffing box to be "burped" if air gets trapped in there. Shafts are expensive, packing is cheap.

I didn't have to replace my cutlass bearing, but you may and might also want to read this:
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_a_cutlass

I didn't originally plan on replacing the whole box. Then I inspected the hose (it was almost dead) and looking at my stuffing box hardware and decided that a full replacement was the best plan.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
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844 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2013 : 12:06:53

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by awetmore</i>
In the stuffing box article he talks about why he doesn't like the miracle dripless packing. The big issue is that it doesn't allow proper cooling or allow for the stuffing box to be "burped" if air gets trapped in there. Shafts are expensive, packing is cheap.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Not quite. Maine Sail suggests the use of Ultra X, and no longer the popular Gore material. That's included in my linked article.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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1144 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2013 : 13:24:34

I was referring to the Catalina Direct product:
http://catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/1352/packing-kit-drip-less-stuffing-box.cfm

Maine Sail has good arguments for why making a stuffing box "dripless" (without replacing the whole box) is a bad idea. Ultra-X, GFO,and GTU all keep the drip. The green clay that CD sells doesn't.

I don't have any personal experience with the green clay, I'm just passing along what I've learned by reading his article. The arguments made sense to me.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2013 : 17:00:06

I would make sure whatever material you use doesn't score the shaft. Each yard/mechanic has their own flavor. It's been like that for years... I do recommend doing it yourself and having spare material onboard, BUT I think it isn't a bad idea to watch the first time.

Dripless is cool, and many swear by it. But I kinda like the drip. Keeps me looking down in there daily.

Sten

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