[C38] Mysterious stuffing box behavior + checking transmission

[Marci Brown]

*         I definitely waited until the engine was off to pump out the
engine area. Yes, I need to check on the drain hole. I've heard it is quite
small (or blocked completely) to prevent fuel or oil from entering the
bilge. 
*         We always sail now (when engine's off) with the transmission in
reverse to prevent the inflow of water.
*         Does anyone dread checking the transmission fluid as much as I do?
(Keith is tall and I'm short, so I get stuck doing it.) Enlarged access to
engine/stuffing box is needed for sure! I guess it will happen in the
quarter berth area. Time to explore this C38 website to see what others have
done. (P.S. we do have that enlarged opening in the cockpit lazarette, but
it's still challenging with the water heater in the way.)
 
Marci 
 
From: William Knowles [mailto:whk1965 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 3:28 PM
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Subject: Re: [C38] Mysterious stuffing box behavior
 
Marci, Not sure about the stuffing box we had ours done last week will ask
the yard for ideas. I am more concerned about water under engine. It should
flow into bilge unless the hole is blocked, may want to check. It could be
very dangerous to pump from the front if you have to run the engine at the
same time.
 
Bill Flying Goose 
On Wed, May 18, 2011 at 11:18 AM, Marci Brown <mb at seafor.us> wrote:
A troubling stuffing box situation began last week (and continues): We ran
the engine reasonably hard for about 4 hours when doing the NYC East River
trek to Long Island Sound. I was in the galley when Keith raised the sails
and cut the engine (leaving transmission in neutral). Immediately I heard
water pouring into the boat from the stuffing box area. I shouted for Keith
to throw the transmission into reverse. No more water! Whew! Water quickly
exited the boat via bilge pump - with the exception of 10 gallons sitting
under the engine that I had to pump out by hand. Diagnostic guesstimate #1:
New zincs on the prop shaft causing wobble that is stressing the 2-year old
flax packing gland... right? The cutlass bearing is fine. Other thoughts:
Folding prop has inherent balance issues, engine/transmission/prop shaft
alignment fine tuning necessary, packing glands wear out quickly under
stress?? Would anyone like to tackle this one?
 
Marci J. Brown
PO Box 520549, Winthrop, MA 02152 USA
Ph: 757-515-3151 | Email: mb at seafor.us
 
 

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-- 
W H Knowles
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