stuffing box

Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

Might I suggest you do both? Sounds to me like the packing gland needs repacking anyway.....or, if you are going to keep the boat, install a pss-dripless. Used one for many years with no issues.... And, INSTALL THE AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP! Charles S/V Boomerang! 1980 Cal 39, Mark II St Michaels, MD From: gregreinhard <gr… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, June 10, 2010 7:31:20 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

Greg, Are you sure it is coming from your stuffing box? Since it only happens when the motor is running, perhaps there is a leak from your raw water pump system. If you have already eliminated that possibility, a stuffing box should not leak while at rest and, if you have the standard stuffing box with flax inside, it should optimally only drip once every 30 seconds or so for cooling. With the engine running and the transmission engaged, let the prop turn and then tighten the stuffing box in increments until you get the 1 drop roughly every 30 seconds rate. If you can't achieve this, then it is time to replace the flax in the packing gland. If you have to re-pack the stuffing box, be sure to examine the shaft where the flax makes contact to ensure that a groove hasn't formed in the shaft. A groove may be smooth, but will cause problems with trying to stop excessive leaking since the minute longitudinal changes in shaft position while going from forward to reverse will change where the flax rides on the shaft. Install an automatic bilge pump. It is cheap insurance and will give you some peace of mind. Like everything on a boat it will need to be inspected and tested periodically too. Good luck. Mike On 6/10/2010 7:31 AM, gregreinhard wrote: > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an > automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on > manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get > to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate > maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and > they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to > me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger > bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the > bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg >

P.S. When adjusting your stuffing box with the engine in gear, be VERY careful to not get any loose clothing, rags, hands etc. too close to the spinning shaft! It WILL hurt you in a bad way! You know this already, but I felt the need to emphasize... Mike M. On 6/10/2010 7:31 AM, gregreinhard wrote: > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an > automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on > manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get > to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate > maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and > they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to > me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger > bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the > bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > > >

X2. If you are leaking that much while you're motoring, it's likely it is leaking while you are not motoring as well. Plus check to make sure you don't have a leak in your cooling system. I can recommend the Water Witch automatic bilge pump switch, or an equivalent that provides a delay in turning on and off so that you don't cycle the bilge pump as water sloshes back and forth in the bilge. Harleigh From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Charles Strasburger Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 8:00 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Might I suggest you do both? Sounds to me like the packing gland needs repacking anyway.....or, if you are going to keep the boat, install a pss-dripless. Used one for many years with no issues.... And, INSTALL THE AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP! Charles S/V Boomerang! 1980 Cal 39, Mark II St Michaels, MD _____ From: gregreinhard <gr… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, June 10, 2010 7:31:20 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5186 (20100610) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

You can either fix the problem [ find the leak and make repairs ] or treat the symptom [ pump out the excessive bilge water ] . I suggest you fix the problem by first confirming the source of the leak. If it is the stuffing box, repack it with Gore Tex packing, _AND adjust it correctly._ Also check the raw water pump for a leaking condition, which indicates repairs needed. Other sources of leaks can be from cracked or loose exhaust hoses, leaky c-cocks, cracked muffler, cracked heat exchanger, etc. *Joe DeMers - owner* Sound Marine Diesel LLC SoundMarineDiesel.com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> *phone & fax (860) 666-2184* On 6/10/2010 7:31 AM, gregreinhard wrote: > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2929 - Release Date: 06/10/10 02:35:00 > > -- *Joe DeMers - owner* Sound Marine Diesel LLC SoundMarineDiesel.com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> *phone & fax (860) 666-2184*

Hi Greg, It seems to me that if you are still leaking after a stuffing box adjustment, it is most likely time to repack. I did this in the water last year on my '88 28-2 and it really wasn't bad with easy and open access to the stuffing box and shaft. I don't know what it is like to not have an automatic bilge pump, but I can say that the peace of mind would make it worth adding a automatic pump. I can let you know how I replaced my packing (and kept most water out) if you decide to do yours. Mike Hofstetter

All good advice. Also you may consider installing a $2 flashing LED at the helm somewhere and hardwired it to the bilge pump switch when in auto mode. In this manner, should the bilge pump come on while at sea, you are alerted to the situation In theory it should not come on, so if it does start flashing you know something is going on and decide if it warrants immediate or delayed action. Best regards /ch

If your stuffing box drips when you motor and does not drip in the slip, leave it alone. My experience is that it is very difficult to get it in this state. Mine either drips or not and I can move it 1 rch and it goes from one state to the other without being able to get it to drip when motoring yet not drip in the slip. My dockmate told me he has the same problem. So, consider yourself lucky that it drips when you motor. It should drip when you motor and you should have water in the bilge when you get back to the slip. An automatic pump might save you boat if something else fails so that would be my vote. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:31 AM, gregreinhard <gr… [at] yahoo.com>wrote: > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic > bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I > frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to > the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had > the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It > still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous > boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet > and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > >

These are the same 'symptoms' I was getting on the boat with the groove worn into the shaft. When the owner shut down the motor after shifting from fwd-neut, there would be no leak as the packing gland was set on the groove 'flange'. However, when he shut down the engine after shifting from rev-neut, the shaft would set itself an rch off the flange and leak like a sieve. At which point he would tighten the box causing it to wear the groove deeper over time. This was on a Morgan 32 with a very shallow bilge. The owner did not want to pay for a $450 shaft so I advised the owner that there would be a weak spot on the shaft and 'fixed' it by replacing the shaft log hose connecting the stuffing box to the log with one an inch longer. I replaced the flax in the box and the whole thing was able to ride on a fresh piece of the shaft. No leaks at rest and 1 drop/30 seconds under power. I made absolutely sure the engine and the shaft were aligned properly and that there was no appreciable vibration throughout its RPM range. (I did an engine swap on that boat so had to do these things anyway). Allen does have a point though. If it isn't leaking at rest, then there is no need to be excessively concerned about it as long as you are able to get the water out of the boat. Mike M. On 6/10/2010 11:15 AM, Allen Edwards wrote: > > > If your stuffing box drips when you motor and does not drip in the > slip, leave it alone. My experience is that it is very difficult to > get it in this state. Mine either drips or not and I can move it 1 > rch and it goes from one state to the other without being able to get > it to drip when motoring yet not drip in the slip. My dockmate told > me he has the same problem. So, consider yourself lucky that it drips > when you motor. It should drip when you motor and you should have > water in the bilge when you get back to the slip. > > > An automatic pump might save you boat if something else fails so that > would be my vote. > > Allen > > On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:31 AM, gregreinhard <gr… [at] yahoo.com > <mailto:gr… [at] yahoo.com>> wrote: > > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an > automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on > manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only > get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to > evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the > stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still > accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my > previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite > the bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > _

I had the same issue with my packing gland leaking too much when in use.. I simply shoved heavy grease into the gland to lubricate the packing and this solved my problem. It also makes it so you don't have to crank down on the gland nut to regulate the drip. Mark Cal 2-29 San Pedro ----- Original Message ----- From: Allen Edwards To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box If your stuffing box drips when you motor and does not drip in the slip, leave it alone. My experience is that it is very difficult to get it in this state. Mine either drips or not and I can move it 1 rch and it goes from one state to the other without being able to get it to drip when motoring yet not drip in the slip. My dockmate told me he has the same problem. So, consider yourself lucky that it drips when you motor. It should drip when you motor and you should have water in the bilge when you get back to the slip. An automatic pump might save you boat if something else fails so that would be my vote. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:31 AM, gregreinhard <gr… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5187 (20100610) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5187 (20100610) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

In regards to the bilge pump. I am needing to replace mine and am looking at the Rule 1500 or 2000gph fully automated pumps. Does anyone have an opinion on these? I have a Cal29 and it seems easier to not have an external switch because of the orientation of the deep bilge. Thanks, Scott 74 Cal29 --- On Thu, 6/10/10, Joe DeMers <je… [at] mindspring.com> wrote: From: Joe DeMers <je… [at] mindspring.com> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010, 5:11 AM You can either fix the problem [ find the leak and make repairs ] or treat the symptom [ pump out the excessive bilge water ] . I suggest you fix the problem by first confirming the source of the leak. If it is the stuffing box, repack it with Gore Tex packing, AND adjust it correctly. Also check the raw water pump for a leaking condition, which indicates repairs needed. Other sources of leaks can be from cracked or loose exhaust hoses, leaky c-cocks, cracked muffler, cracked heat exchanger, etc. Joe DeMers - owner Sound Marine Diesel LLCSoundMarineDiesel. com phone & fax (860) 666-2184 On 6/10/2010 7:31 AM, gregreinhard wrote: Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg ------------ --------- --------- ------ Yahoo! Groups Links No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2929 - Release Date: 06/10/10 02:35:00 -- Joe DeMers - owner Sound Marine Diesel LLCSoundMarineDiesel. com phone & fax (860) 666-2184

Scott, I have used both pumps. I have replaced them as well. They seem to last quite awhile. The only real 'bugaboo' that I have with them is that they have plastic tabs holding on the screen base. You press in on the tabs to release the pump so you can muck it out, but press a little to aggressively and the tab breaks. Not a big deal, just another of those "S&#$t!" moments. Since you have such a deep bilge, may I interest you in a pump on a stick? Originally, my pump was laying at the bottom of the bilge and the only way to get it was by yanking the wires. I ran across someones idea and incorporated it into our boat. Basically it is a pump attached to a PVC pipe as long as the bilge is deep. I attached a float switch to it also. Now, when I need access to the pump, I just pull up on the pipe and it all comes up no problem. Hope this helps. Mike M. On 6/10/2010 3:10 PM, scott cyphers wrote: > > > In regards to the bilge pump. I am needing to replace mine and am > looking at the Rule 1500 or 2000gph fully automated pumps. Does anyone > have an opinion on these? I have a Cal29 and it seems easier to not > have an external switch because of the orientation of the deep bilge. > Thanks, Scott 74 Cal29 >

Hello Mike, How do you change the wax seal in the water? Wouldn't the water just start gushing in from around the shaft? Sounds like a brave undertaking while in the water. Frans From: Mike Hofstetter <mk… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, June 10, 2010 5:20:09 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi Greg, It seems to me that if you are still leaking after a stuffing box adjustment, it is most likely time to repack. I did this in the water last year on my '88 28-2 and it really wasn't bad with easy and open access to the stuffing box and shaft. I don't know what it is like to not have an automatic bilge pump, but I can say that the peace of mind would make it worth adding a automatic pump. I can let you know how I replaced my packing (and kept most water out) if you decide to do yours. Mike Hofstetter

Scott, I use a Groco switch (http://www.groco.net/SVC-MAN-07/Sec3/PDFS/AS-100.pdf) that controls a Jabso Diaphram Pump (http://www.jabsco.com/products/marine/bilge_pumping_systems/electric_diaphragm_pumps/37202_shower_and_bilge_pump_37202_series/iid_2517-item2517/index.htm) for my primary. For a secondary, I have a Johnson 500 GPH (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&partNumber=11006897) Michael s/v Magic, Cal 2-27 Pompano Beach, FL

Greg, There is a lot of great advice here on the list. I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy's Law, "angst expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk" and secondly that "angst mitigates risk". When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber's putty to reduce the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about 3/8" to get the nut off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and removed the plumber's putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber's putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine running in gear) My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you are comfortable with the incursion rate. Oh yeah, don't forget, if you don't worry over this for weeks first, nothing will work. Wyatt CAL 2-46 #75 "Blythe Spirit" St. Pete From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gregreinhard Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

I have one of these http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|299222|84462|315207&id=84716 which keeps the bilge dry down to 1/2 inch. And one of these http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|299222|84462|315207&id=84572 that sits next to it in my very small bilge. The small one goes on every few minutes and keeps the bilge dry, the lager one goes on when the small one fails (which it does just around when the warranty is up) or when there is serious water. The float for the big one doesn't go off until there is a lot of water way above the sump. I like the dry bilge and the large capacity and the redundancy. Two pumps is perfect for this old wood boat. Of course, the boat leaks so the pumps are very important to me. One is off each battery, btw. Just another idea to consider. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 12:10 PM, scott cyphers <sc… [at] sbcglobal.net>wrote: > > > In regards to the bilge pump. I am needing to replace mine and am looking > at the Rule 1500 or 2000gph fully automated pumps. Does anyone have an > opinion on these? I have a Cal29 and it seems easier to not have an external > switch because of the orientation of the deep bilge. > Thanks, Scott 74 Cal29 > > --- On *Thu, 6/10/10, Joe DeMers <je… [at] mindspring.com>* wrote: > > > From: Joe DeMers <je… [at] mindspring.com> > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010, 5:11 AM > > > You can either fix the problem [ find the leak and make repairs ] or treat > the symptom [ pump out the excessive bilge water ] . > > I suggest you fix the problem by first confirming the source of the leak. > If it is the stuffing box, repack it with Gore Tex packing, *AND adjust it > correctly.* > > Also check the raw water pump for a leaking condition, which indicates > repairs needed. > > Other sources of leaks can be from cracked or loose exhaust hoses, leaky > c-cocks, cracked muffler, cracked heat exchanger, etc. > *Joe DeMers - owner* > Sound Marine Diesel LLC > SoundMarineDiesel. com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> > *phone & fax (860) 666-2184* > > On 6/10/2010 7:31 AM, gregreinhard wrote: > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > > > ------------ --------- --------- ------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2929 - Release Date: 06/10/10 02:35:00 > > > > > -- > *Joe DeMers - owner* > Sound Marine Diesel LLC > SoundMarineDiesel. com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> > *phone & fax (860) 666-2184* > > >

I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself blessed and don't touch it. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks <wh… [at] avtechmed.com>wrote: > > > Greg, > > There is a lot of great advice here on the list. > > I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy’s Law, “angst > expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk” and secondly that > “angst mitigates risk”. > > > > When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack the > outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber’s putty to reduce the risk of > gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water only dribbled out of > the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about > 3/8” to get the nut off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old > packing and replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the > nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went > below and removed the plumber’s putty and the stuffing box still did not > drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I > loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but there was no > drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in > at about the same rate as when the plumber’s putty was on the outside of the > cutlass bearing. (with the engine running in gear) > > > > My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is > unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable > incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. > Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you are > comfortable with the incursion rate. > > > > Oh yeah, don’t forget, if you don’t worry over this for weeks first, > nothing will work. > > > > Wyatt > > CAL 2-46 #75 > > “Blythe Spirit” > > St. Pete > > > ------------------------------ > > *From:* Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] *On > Behalf Of *gregreinhard > *Sent:* Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM > *To:* Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > *Subject:* [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic > bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I > frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to > the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had > the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It > still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous > boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet > and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > >

One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. While motoring the boat will 'squat' and put the normally above water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady trickle of water. YMMV john From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself blessed and don't touch it. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks <wh… [at] avtechmed.com> wrote: Greg, There is a lot of great advice here on the list. I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy's Law, "angst expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk" and secondly that "angst mitigates risk". When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber's putty to reduce the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about 3/8" to get the nut off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and removed the plumber's putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber's putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine running in gear) My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you are comfortable with the incursion rate. Oh yeah, don't forget, if you don't worry over this for weeks first, nothing will work. Wyatt CAL 2-46 #75 "Blythe Spirit" St. Pete _____ From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gregreinhard Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the key, I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an automatic bilge pump. Greg From: john raxter <jr… [at] triad.rr.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. While motoring the boat will ‘squat’ and put the normally above water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady trickle of water. YMMV john From:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_ Boats@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself blessed and don't touch it. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks <whendricks@avtechme d.com> wrote: Greg, There is a lot of great advice here on the list. I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy’s Law, “angst expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk” and secondly that “angst mitigates risk”. When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber’s putty to reduce the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about 3/8” to get the nut off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and removed the plumber’s putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber’s putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine running in gear) My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you are comfortable with the incursion rate. Oh yeah, don’t forget, if you don’t worry over this for weeks first, nothing will work. Wyatt CAL 2-46 #75 “Blythe Spirit” St. Pete From:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf Of gregreinhard Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

I was going to mention this earlier, but slipped my mind, Greg. I once had a crack in the engine exhaust hose near the stern. Only time water leaked into the bilge was when the engine was running. Took a little while to find the cause. Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg Reinhard Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 11:37 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the key, I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an automatic bilge pump. Greg From: john raxter <jr… [at] triad.rr.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. While motoring the boat will 'squat' and put the normally above water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady trickle of water. YMMV john From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<http://ps.com/> [mailto:Cal_ Boats@yahoogroup s.com<http://s.com/>] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself blessed and don't touch it. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks <whendricks@avtechme d.com<mailto:wh… [at] avtechmed.com>> wrote: Greg, There is a lot of great advice here on the list. I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy's Law, "angst expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk" and secondly that "angst mitigates risk". When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber's putty to reduce the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about 3/8" to get the nut off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and removed the plumber's putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber's putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine running in gear) My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you are comfortable with the incursion rate. Oh yeah, don't forget, if you don't worry over this for weeks first, nothing will work. Wyatt CAL 2-46 #75 "Blythe Spirit" St. Pete From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of gregreinhard Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

I had a small leak in the steel water-lift exhaust tank that almost sank the Yankee 38. I was powering up from San Diego and went below for a drink and water was above the cabin sole. It scared the hell out of me. It was the first trip on the boat after I bought it. Most of them now are plastic for that reason. Corrosion. Mike Kennedy On Jun 27, 2010, at 11:54 AM, Husar, Charlie [USA] wrote: > > I was going to mention this earlier, but slipped my mind, Greg. I > once had a crack in the engine exhaust hose near the stern. Only > time water leaked into the bilge was when the engine was running. > Took a little while to find the cause. > > Cheers > Charlie > > From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] > On Behalf Of Greg Reinhard > Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 11:37 AM > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the > key, I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an > automatic bilge pump. > > Greg > > From: john raxter <jr… [at] triad.rr.com> > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM > Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. > > > Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. > While motoring the boat will ‘squat’ and put the normally above > water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady > trickle of water. > > > YMMV > > john > > > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_ Boats@yahoogroup > s.com] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards > Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is > leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself > blessed and don't touch it. > > > Allen > > On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks > <whendricks@avtechme d.com> wrote: > > > Greg, > > There is a lot of great advice here on the list. > > I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy’s Law, “angst > expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk” and > secondly that “angst mitigates risk”. > > > When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack > the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber’s putty to reduce > the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water > only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I > shortened the log tube hose about 3/8” to get the nut off of a shaft > groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the > Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the > stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and > removed the plumber’s putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. > I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I > loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but > there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. > The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber’s > putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine > running in gear) > > > My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is > unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable > incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. > Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you > are comfortable with the incursion rate. > > > Oh yeah, don’t forget, if you don’t worry over this for weeks first, > nothing will work. > > > Wyatt > > CAL 2-46 #75 > > “Blythe Spirit” > > St. Pete > > > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com] > On Behalf Of gregreinhard > Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an > automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on > manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only > get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to > evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the > stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still > accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my > previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the > bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > > > > >

good method of finding a leak is to, sprinkle baby powder all over your clean bilge and follow the water trail gu From: Michael Kennedy <mt… [at] cox.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Sun, June 27, 2010 3:03:26 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box I had a small leak in the steel water-lift exhaust tank that almost sank the Yankee 38. I was powering up from San Diego and went below for a drink and water was above the cabin sole. It scared the hell out of me. It was the first trip on the boat after I bought it. Most of them now are plastic for that reason. Corrosion. Mike Kennedy On Jun 27, 2010, at 11:54 AM, Husar, Charlie [USA] wrote: > > I was going to mention this earlier, but slipped my mind, Greg. I > once had a crack in the engine exhaust hose near the stern. Only > time water leaked into the bilge was when the engine was running. > Took a little while to find the cause. > > Cheers > Charlie > > From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] > On Behalf Of Greg Reinhard > Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 11:37 AM > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the > key, I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an > automatic bilge pump. > > Greg > > From: john raxter <jr… [at] triad.rr.com> > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM > Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. > > > Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. > While motoring the boat will ‘squat’ and put the normally above > water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady > trickle of water. > > > YMMV > > john > > > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_ Boats@yahoogroup > s.com] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards > Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is > leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself > blessed and don't touch it. > > > Allen > > On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks > <whendricks@avtechme d.com> wrote: > > > Greg, > > There is a lot of great advice here on the list. > > I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy’s Law, “angst > expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk” and > secondly that “angst mitigates risk”. > > > When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack > the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber’s putty to reduce > the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water > only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I > shortened the log tube hose about 3/8” to get the nut off of a shaft > groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the > Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the > stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and > removed the plumber’s putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. > I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I > loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but > there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. > The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber’s > putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine > running in gear) > > > My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is > unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable > incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. > Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you > are comfortable with the incursion rate. > > > Oh yeah, don’t forget, if you don’t worry over this for weeks first, > nothing will work. > > > Wyatt > > CAL 2-46 #75 > > “Blythe Spirit” > > St. Pete > > > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com] > On Behalf Of gregreinhard > Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an > automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on > manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only > get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to > evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the > stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still > accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my > previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the > bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > > > > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links

That only that, but it cures bilge rash. Good idea, Gene. Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gene ulmer Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 3:11 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box good method of finding a leak is to, sprinkle baby powder all over your clean bilge and follow the water trail gu From: Michael Kennedy <mt… [at] cox.net> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Sun, June 27, 2010 3:03:26 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box I had a small leak in the steel water-lift exhaust tank that almost sank the Yankee 38. I was powering up from San Diego and went below for a drink and water was above the cabin sole. It scared the hell out of me. It was the first trip on the boat after I bought it. Most of them now are plastic for that reason. Corrosion. Mike Kennedy On Jun 27, 2010, at 11:54 AM, Husar, Charlie [USA] wrote: > > I was going to mention this earlier, but slipped my mind, Greg. I > once had a crack in the engine exhaust hose near the stern. Only time > water leaked into the bilge was when the engine was running. > Took a little while to find the cause. > > Cheers > Charlie > > From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] > On Behalf Of Greg Reinhard > Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 11:37 AM > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the key, > I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an automatic bilge > pump. > > Greg > > From: john raxter <jr… [at] triad.rr.com> > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM > Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. > > > Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. > While motoring the boat will 'squat' and put the normally above water > thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady trickle of > water. > > > YMMV > > john > > > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_ Boats@yahoogroup > s.com] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards > Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is > leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself > blessed and don't touch it. > > > Allen > > On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks > <whendricks@avtechme d.com> wrote: > > > Greg, > > There is a lot of great advice here on the list. > > I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy's Law, "angst > expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk" and > secondly that "angst mitigates risk". > > > When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack > the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber's putty to reduce > the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water > only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I > shortened the log tube hose about 3/8" to get the nut off of a shaft > groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the > Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the > stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and > removed the plumber's putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. > I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I > loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but > there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. > The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber's > putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine > running in gear) > > > My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is > unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable > incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. > Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you > are comfortable with the incursion rate. > > > Oh yeah, don't forget, if you don't worry over this for weeks first, > nothing will work. > > > Wyatt > > CAL 2-46 #75 > > "Blythe Spirit" > > St. Pete > > > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com] > On Behalf Of gregreinhard > Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an > automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on > manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only > get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to > evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the > stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still > accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my > previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the > bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > > > > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links

If you do install automatic also install an hour meter. I do not have automatic as I check the boat very regular. (It is parked at my floating home. ) I want to know if I have a leak so I can chase it before it gets big or critical. An automatic may hide a problem. And if a big event occurs the boat sinks with dead batteries unless you have shore power. Cheers, Timm Lessley (Sent from Blackberry) (503) 863-4019 From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sun Jun 27 09:37:07 2010 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the key, I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an automatic bilge pump. Greg From: john raxter <jr… [at] triad.rr.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. While motoring the boat will ‘squat’ and put the normally above water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady trickle of water. YMMV john From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<http://ps.com/> [mailto:Cal_ Boats@yahoogroup s.com<http://s.com/>] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself blessed and don't touch it. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks <whendricks@avtechme d.com<mailto:wh… [at] avtechmed.com>> wrote: Greg, There is a lot of great advice here on the list. I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy’s Law, “angst expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk” and secondly that “angst mitigates risk”. When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber’s putty to reduce the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about 3/8” to get the nut off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and removed the plumber’s putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber’s putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine running in gear) My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you are comfortable with the incursion rate. Oh yeah, don’t forget, if you don’t worry over this for weeks first, nothing will work. Wyatt CAL 2-46 #75 “Blythe Spirit” St. Pete From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of gregreinhard Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

dEmO, You are on target. I went to my boat today, after some serious rain over the last 3 days. I spent some time pumping my manual bilge pump, which was to be expected. The rainwater gets in the bilge, and I know that, so I pump it out. If it's dry, the bilge is dry. I don't have an automatic bilge pump, I guess my boat doesn't leak from below, so I'll deal with the rain. Regards, David Dobbs, Cal29 411 --- On Sun, 6/27/10, ti… [at] ch2m.com <ti… [at] ch2m.com> wrote: From: ti… [at] ch2m.com <ti… [at] ch2m.com> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010, 2:22 PM If you do install automatic also install an hour meter. I do not have automatic as I check the boat very regular. (It is parked at my floating home. ) I want to know if I have a leak so I can chase it before it gets big or critical. An automatic may hide a problem. And if a big event occurs the boat sinks with dead batteries unless you have shore power. Cheers, Timm Lessley (Sent from Blackberry) (503) 863-4019 From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com <Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com> To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com <Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com> Sent: Sun Jun 27 09:37:07 2010 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the key, I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an automatic bilge pump. Greg From: john raxter <jraxter@triad. rr.com> To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. While motoring the boat will ‘squat’ and put the normally above water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady trickle of water. YMMV john From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_ Boats@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself blessed and don't touch it. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks <whendricks@avtechme d.com> wrote: Greg, There is a lot of great advice here on the list. I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy’s Law, “angst expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk” and secondly that “angst mitigates risk”. When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber’s putty to reduce the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about 3/8” to get the nut off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and removed the plumber’s putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber’s putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine running in gear) My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you are comfortable with the incursion rate. Oh yeah, don’t forget, if you don’t worry over this for weeks first, nothing will work. Wyatt CAL 2-46 #75 “Blythe Spirit” St. Pete From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf Of gregreinhard Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

It is in our lore that 80-90 percent of men found drowned after falling overboard have their zippers down. It makes me wonder what percentage of boats that sink at their moorings have dead batteries. Inquiring minds and all that. Cheers, Anyway Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of david dobbs Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 12:17 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box(dEmO) dEmO, You are on target. I went to my boat today, after some serious rain over the last 3 days. I spent some time pumping my manual bilge pump, which was to be expected. The rainwater gets in the bilge, and I know that, so I pump it out. If it's dry, the bilge is dry. I don't have an automatic bilge pump, I guess my boat doesn't leak from below, so I'll deal with the rain. Regards, David Dobbs, Cal29 411 --- On Sun, 6/27/10, ti… [at] ch2m.com <ti… [at] ch2m.com> wrote: From: ti… [at] ch2m.com <ti… [at] ch2m.com> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010, 2:22 PM If you do install automatic also install an hour meter. I do not have automatic as I check the boat very regular. (It is parked at my floating home. ) I want to know if I have a leak so I can chase it before it gets big or critical. An automatic may hide a problem. And if a big event occurs the boat sinks with dead batteries unless you have shore power. Cheers, Timm Lessley (Sent from Blackberry) (503) 863-4019 From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com <Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com> To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com <Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com> Sent: Sun Jun 27 09:37:07 2010 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the key, I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an automatic bilge pump. Greg From: john raxter <jraxter@triad. rr.com> To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. While motoring the boat will 'squat' and put the normally above water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady trickle of water. YMMV john From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<http://ps.com/> [mailto:Cal_ Boats@yahoogroup s.com<http://s.com/>] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself blessed and don't touch it. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks <whendricks@avtechme d.com<http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=wh… [at] avtechmed.com>> wrote: Greg, There is a lot of great advice here on the list. I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy's Law, "angst expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk" and secondly that "angst mitigates risk". When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver pack the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber's putty to reduce the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective since water only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about 3/8" to get the nut off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old packing and replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The diver went below and removed the plumber's putty and the stuffing box still did not drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear but it did not drip so I loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept loosening the nut but there was no drip until finally the nut was off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in at about the same rate as when the plumber's putty was on the outside of the cutlass bearing. (with the engine running in gear) My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion is unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an unmanageable incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the packing material. Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating procedures until you are comfortable with the incursion rate. Oh yeah, don't forget, if you don't worry over this for weeks first, nothing will work. Wyatt CAL 2-46 #75 "Blythe Spirit" St. Pete From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of gregreinhard Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com<http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and install an automatic pump? Thanks, Greg

We leave our boats in the water all yr. Last winter I received a call that a friends boat was a low rider and needed help. I went down and it had 2 ft of water in her. We believe that the bilge pump had been working untill it frooze in the hose where it had a dip in it. The ice plug allowed the pump to run until the battery was shot the next time it cycled. The shore power was off so the battery could not charge. It took 5 hrs to pump her out. Dont know the condition of the 2GM20. Husar, Charlie [USA] wrote: > > > It is in our lore that 80-90 percent of men found drowned after > falling overboard have their zippers down. It makes me wonder what > percentage of boats that sink at their moorings have dead batteries. > Inquiring minds and all that. > > Cheers, Anyway > Charlie > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On > Behalf Of david dobbs > Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 12:17 AM > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box(dEmO) > > dEmO, > You are on target. I went to my boat today, after some serious rain > over the last 3 days. I spent some time pumping my manual bilge pump, > which was to be expected. The rainwater gets in the bilge, and I know > that, so I pump it out. If it's dry, the bilge is dry. I don't have > an automatic bilge pump, I guess my boat doesn't leak from below, so > I'll deal with the rain. > > Regards, > David Dobbs, Cal29 411 > > --- On Sun, 6/27/10, ti… [at] ch2m.com > <ti… [at] ch2m.com> wrote: > > > From: ti… [at] ch2m.com <ti… [at] ch2m.com> > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010, 2:22 PM > > > If you do install automatic also install an hour meter. > > I do not have automatic as I check the boat very regular. (It is > parked at my floating home. ) > > I want to know if I have a leak so I can chase it before it gets > big or critical. > > An automatic may hide a problem. And if a big event occurs the > boat sinks with dead batteries unless you have shore power. > Cheers, > > Timm Lessley > (Sent from Blackberry) > (503) 863-4019 > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com <Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com> > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com <Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com> > Sent: Sun Jun 27 09:37:07 2010 > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > Thanks to all for the advice. I think John's suggestion is the > key, I am rebedding my thru hulls and installing (soon) an > automatic bilge pump. > > Greg > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > From: john raxter <jraxter@triad. rr.com> > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 7:45:58 AM > Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > One more thing to check not mentioned in any of the prior e-mails. > > > > Check the thru hulls for the cockpit drains or exhaust flange. > While motoring the boat will 'squat' and put the normally above > water thru hulls in the water. A small crack will allow a steady > trickle of water. > > > > YMMV > > john > > > > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com <http://ps.com/> [mailto:Cal_ > Boats@yahoogroup s.com <http://s.com/>] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards > Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:29 PM > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > I need to repeat my strong advice that if the stuffing box is > leaking under power and not leaking in the slip, consider yourself > blessed and don't touch it. > > > > Allen > > On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:19 PM, Wyatt Hendricks > <whendricks@avtechme d.com > <http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=wh… [at] avtechmed.com>> > wrote: > > Greg, > > There is a lot of great advice here on the list. > > I would like to point out a major corollary to Murphy's Law, > "angst expended is inversely proportional to the level of risk" > and secondly that "angst mitigates risk". > > > > When I repacked the stuffing box on our CAL 2-46 I had a diver > pack the outside of the cutlass bearing with plumber's putty to > reduce the risk of gushing water. That seemed quite effective > since water only dribbled out of the stuffing box when I removed > the nut. I shortened the log tube hose about 3/8" to get the nut > off of a shaft groove. I excavated all of the old packing and > replaced it with the Teflon impregnated sort, hand tightened the > nut back onto the stuffing box until it stopped dripping. The > diver went below and removed the plumber's putty and the stuffing > box still did not drip. I cranked the engine and ran it in gear > but it did not drip so I loosened the nut some but no drip. I kept > loosening the nut but there was no drip until finally the nut was > off the stuffing box. The water dribbled in at about the same rate > as when the plumber's putty was on the outside of the cutlass > bearing. (with the engine running in gear) > > > > My advice is to loosen the nut until the rate of water incursion > is unmanageable. If the nut is completely off prior to an > unmanageable incursion rate proceed with the replacement of the > packing material. Otherwise employ any of the various mitigating > procedures until you are comfortable with the incursion rate. > > > > Oh yeah, don't forget, if you don't worry over this for weeks > first, nothing will work. > > > > Wyatt > > CAL 2-46 #75 > > "Blythe Spirit" > > St. Pete > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > From: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > <http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> > [mailto:Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > <http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com>] > On Behalf Of gregreinhard > Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:31 AM > To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com > <http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> > Subject: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box > > > > Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I > accumulate guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an > automatic bilge pump (need to change this, I need to turn it on > manually, a step I frequently forget when we are sailing and only > get to when we get back to the slip. At that point I have to > evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the > stuffing box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still > accumlates what seems to me quite a bit of water, although my > previous boats had much larger bilges than the Cal. > > What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite > the bullet and install an automatic pump? > > Thanks, Greg > > > > > >

Today I rebeded two thru hulls that evacuate through the stern above the water line when not motoring. I think this may solve the problem. The drips from the stuffing box seem to be as desired. None the less I will install a automatic bilge pump soon. Thanks for all the good advice. Greg Belladue Ca28 II Kent Island Md. From: Allen Edwards <al… [at] PaloAltoPhoto.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, June 10, 2010 11:15:31 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] stuffing box If your stuffing box drips when you motor and does not drip in the slip, leave it alone. My experience is that it is very difficult to get it in this state. Mine either drips or not and I can move it 1 rch and it goes from one state to the other without being able to get it to drip when motoring yet not drip in the slip. My dockmate told me he has the same problem. So, consider yourself lucky that it drips when you motor. It should drip when you motor and you should have water in the bilge when you get back to the slip. An automatic pump might save you boat if something else fails so that would be my vote. Allen On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 4:31 AM, gregreinhard <gregreinhard@ yahoo.com> wrote: >Hi all, When I motor my 1986 Cal 28-II (Westerbeke diesel 13 hp} I accumulate >guite a bit water in the bilge. Since I do not have an automatic bilge pump >(need to change this, I need to turn it on manually, a step I frequently forget >when we are sailing and only get to when we get back to the slip. At that point >I have to evacuate maybe a gal or two of water. Had the yard check the stuffing >box and they tightend it but did not repack. It still accumlates what seems to >me quite a bit of water, although my previous boats had much larger bilges than >the Cal. > > >What do you think? Should I put more stuffing in the box or bite the bullet and >install an automatic pump? > >Thanks, Greg > >