[C38] Mysterious stuffing box behavior

[les]

Hi guys, 
	I find myself wondering how this is made water tight?  Or is that
necessary?  

	When we bought INFINITY (now JACE) she had a port installed in the
cockpit sole.  But it was one of those plastic things.  I changed that
to 2 layers of 3/8" marine plywood, and added a recessed latch which
dogs down tight, then used closed cell foam weather stripping to make it
water tight (and it is).  I made up a hardwood wedge and covered it with
stainless to make the dog latch.  I can seal up the drains and fill the
cockpit with no leaks.  If you are pooped with the hatch open, what
prevents water intrusion?

	I have also wondered about sealing the lazerette covers, and the stern
seat.  Has anyone looked at these areas or is there already a solution
out there or is it just not a problem?

Regards,
Les H
On Thu, 2011-05-19 at 08:06 -0500, charles at finn.ws wrote:
> I think I was a bit more radical regarding the cutout, but I really
> need the space!  I have a sheet of fitted plywood that stops stuff
> from migrating toward the prop shaft when underway.
> 
> Sent from my HTC on the Now Network from Sprint!
> 
> ----- Reply message -----
> From: "tdtron at earthlink.net" <tdtron at earthlink.net>
> Date: Sat, Jun 18, 2011 9:44 pm
> Subject: [C38] Mysterious stuffing box behavior
> To: "Catalina 38 Listserve" <listserve at catalina38.org>
> 
> 
> I keep thinking about Marci's Brown's post about the leaking stuffing
> box and one thing that I don't think anyone has mentioned is a
> possibly torn stuffing box  bellows.  I think a torn bellows would
> probably leak more with the engine turning than in neutral or stopped.
>  
> Tom Troncalli
>  
> 
>