[C38] Rudder packing gland

[Rich West]

Hi Les,

I looked into a gaiter a while back and put some info on my web site here:

http://www.idea-asylum.com/rudder_seal/  (scroll down, there are some
drawings)

I never went any further.  I still think it's a good idea, just something I
don't have time for now.

Rich West,
Legacy, #360

 

-----Original Message-----
From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
[mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Les
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 12:41 PM
To: Listserve at catalina38.org
Subject: [C38] Rudder packing gland

Hi, Everyone,
	Sometime ago there was discussion of using a gaitor on the rudder
tube.
I am curious about the effectiveness and installation cost, also if the
packing gland were removed, and did that affect the play in the rudder
shaft?  

We just had the packing gland adjusted for JACE.  I am a bit too bulky to
get in there, and Nancy doesn't understand what needed to be done, so I got
someone skinnier and more flexible to do it.  But that brought home a point.
What happens when we're out?  How could I stop the ingress of water from the
stern?  

I feel I should mention that I did make a modification to the stern locker
floor inserts, using some bits of mahoghany 1x2.  I cut the existing pieces
from port to starboard, so that it is now 4 pieces.
Then I added a support from aft to the rail over the quadrant to support the
intersection.  Finally I added the 1x2 under the forward pieces to support
the aft pieces, set up in such a way that they 1x restricted the support
from moving side to side.  This means the whole thing, the four pieces and
support fit together in such a way that they can be easily removed from the
top, but will not slide down into the bilge.  I will add fasteners to the
pieces to hold them in place so that they will effectively be one piece.

I did this when I had my minor panic attack from the bilge pump hose
slipping off the thru hull and causing water to circulate, but I didn't know
that at the time, what I saw was a lot of water flowing into the bilge while
the bilge pump was running continuously.  I thought I was sinking.... What a
rush!!  Fortunately we fixed the hose and it turned out to be "nothing".  By
the way, check the hoses, mine were just glued in and the glue had dried
out, which was the source of the problem.  Now I'm hose clamped good!!

Even with this stern locker floor out, we can only reach one bolt of the
three under the quadrant on JACE.  I don't know if all the boats use the
same packing gland or not.

Regards,
Les H


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