Need to change shaft packings on 390ec. Talk me in or out of doing them in the water

[nickdcj7]

Having never changed packings before, I was hoping for some input. I've read that they can be done in the water, which would be preferable to me versus paying for a haulout. Just looking for opinions and advice. Also, I elieve the gas 390ec needs 3 rings of 1/4 packing. If anyone could confirm that, i would appreciate it. I have a roll of 1/4" GFO packing ready to go and I'm hoping to do this tomorrow depending on the feedback I get here.

Thanks!

 

[Mike Blake]

Re: Need to change shaft packings on 390ec. Talk me in or out of doing them in the w

That's the size and gat some small picks to pull the old stuff out. read this it may help. http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...x-and-Rudders?highlight=rudder+stuffing+boxes

 

[nickdcj7]

Re: Need to change shaft packings on 390ec. Talk me in or out of doing them in the w

Anyone have any input on doing them in the water?

 

[sbw1]

Re: Need to change shaft packings on 390ec. Talk me in or out of doing them in the w

I did my 37 foot straight inboards in the water. I reserved a travel hoist in case it did not go as planned. My mentor told what to expect and it went as planned. I left a little bit of old packing in to avoid lots of water coming in. Added packing and offset it as recommended and was able to get two complete sets of new material in with enough space to tighten down the packing nut with plenty of threads. Went about four seasons and I added dripless shafts the next time it was ready for repacking. Water will come in as you take the old packing out. My boat had lots of room for working so it was not as bad as I imagined. It was easy to overcome and got better with each bit of material added.