[C38] Rudder packing challenges

Thu Jun 15 07:44:19 EDT 2006

I don't think the rudder packing is 1/2 inch.  I bought some yesterday and
gave up trying to install it after about 45 minutes; that's just the time
spent trying to make the packing fit, everything else was already apart.  I
even tried to make it thinner by pounding it with a hammer, but no such
luck.  There went $15.00.  I will try the next size down and see what
happens.  I could use the old packing as a reference, but I really want to
get her in the water, so I put the old stuff back in and put it all back
together.  Now, if I get a day with nothing else to do....  Yeah, right.

Sincerely, 
Russ Duff 
Catalina 38, Hull #112 
"AVANTURA" 
Lake Erie 
Grosse Ile, Michigan 
RDUFF AT VISTEON DOT COM 

-----Original Message-----
From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
[mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Don Strong
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 1:09 PM
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Subject: Re: [C38] Rudder packing challenges

Dear C38 Colleagues.
         Update my rudder packing efforts. As we discussed before and as 
Russ has observed today, with wheel steering the rudder tube is cut open in 
the middle for attaching the steering quadrant.  The bronze stuffing box is 
on the top of the bottom part of tube that the rudder shaft passes through, 
and the quadrant rides about 1/2 inch above the stuffing box. I do not 
think that a gaitor will fit on a tube with steering quadrants; too little 
room for attachment.  It is a huge job to remove the steering quadrant, but 
you must do so before replacing the packing/ stuffing.
         I believe that I used 1/2 inch teflon coated synthetic stuffing 
from West Marine (This kind lasts longer and cuts more accurately than the 
natural old kind)  and was able to get three courses of it into the empty 
box. I hammered the stuffing on a wooden block to flatten it before 
insertion, this facilitates sliding the stuffing into the stuffing box. The 
distortion caused by hammering disappears when you tighten the squeeze 
bolts on the box.
         However, my rudder shaft has lots and lots of play, and it needs 
shimming of at least 25 thousands of an inch on each side, as mesured in 
the cockpit at the tube top where the rudder attachment is fixed.
         This play (I hope it is the play) means that even brand new 
stuffing wears out in a few hours of use. So, my rudder shaft leaks as much 
through the box as ever after only a few hours of use, with new 
stuffing.  It may be that I need to replace the bottom bearing ( is it 
delrin?) on the rudder, but that will have to wait till haul out. Im going 
to try to shim the top of the tube in the next month or so and will inform 
you all of my results.

Still tryin' Don

At 09:39 AM 6/12/2006, you wrote:
>I searched my own archives and found the emails related to rudder 
>packing. I will look for some 1/2 inch packing and get that in there. 
>As soon as I can get my stuff together, I will try to compose a write 
>up of what I did.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Russ Duff
>Electrical Applications Engineer
>Climate Control
>
>RDUFF at VISTEON.COM
>
>Visteon Climate Control
>METVIS
>D-64
>45000 Helm Street
>Plymouth, MI  48170
>
>PHONE: 734-416-1511
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org 
>[mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Charles Finn
>Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 10:49 AM
>To: Catalina 38 Listserve
>Subject: Re: [C38] Rudder packing
>
>
>Russ,
>Didn't we discuss this a year or so ago?  I think Don talked about how 
>he repacked his box and there was also some discussion about a 
>"gaitor?" I can search my archives if that would help. BTW,  this would 
>be a great set of instructions for the website if you would like to do 
>so! Thanks,
>cf
>
>
>Duff, Russ (R.W.) wrote:
> > The discussion on the website is for getting the play out of the 
> > rudder tube.  This wasn't my question.  Because I have wheel 
> > steering, the rudder tube is cut open in the middle for attaching 
> > the steering quadrant, and there is a brass stuffing box on the top 
> > of the bottom tube that the rudder tube passes through.  This is 
> > where I need to replace the stuffing.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Russ Duff
> > Catalina 38, Hull #112
> > "AVANTURA"
> > Lake Erie
> > Grosse Ile, Michigan
> > RDUFF AT VISTEON DOT COM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org 
> > [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Charles Finn
> > Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 10:29 AM
> > To: Catalina 38 Listserve
> > Subject: Re: [C38] Rudder packing
> >
> >
> > Russ,
> > There is a complete discussion (with sketches) for this repair on 
> > the website.  Hope it helps.
> >
> > Charles Finn
> > Mighty Quinn #114
> >
> > Duff, Russ (R.W.) wrote:
> >
> >> What is used for packing in the rudder tube?  I had to drop the 
> >> rudder to repair the floor, so I figured while it is apart, I might 
> >> as well repack the rudder tube.  But, what do I use?
> >>
> >> BTW, the floor repair ended up being a bigger job than anticipated, 
> >> but it is DONE!!!  I won't be afraid to reef on the wheel or 
> >> pedestal guard any more (I could wobble it all over with just one 
> >> hand before).  I will post some photos when I finally develop them 
> >> all.
> >>
> >> Sincerely,
> >> * Russ Duff *
> >> Catalina 38, Hull #112
> >> "AVANTURA"
> >> Lake Erie
> >> Grosse Ile, Michigan
> >> RDUFF */ AT /* VISTEON */ DOT /* COM
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------
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> >> -
> >> --
> >>
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> >>
> >
> >
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