suff box

[bikofour]

help, looking for drawings / sections through / a snuff box installation. to make sure this amateur get's it right.

[Auzzee]

Do you mean a stuffing box?

[haiqu]

Hope he didn't want snuff movies.

Saw one years ago. Wouldn't go to see another one, not very interesting watching a lot of old blokes sneezing into their handkerchiefs.

Rob

[bikofour]

Yep, not only is my knowledge of a STUFFING BOX miserable so is my spelling.

anyway yes it is a "STUFFING BOX" - hope that helps you help me.

[Auzzee]

Hi Bikofour, If you have a look firstly at this link:Google
You will see several diagrams. However, if you are at the stage of building where you need to be thinking about sealing the prop shaft, take a look at the PSS (Packless shaft seal) bearing. It is the choice of most boat owners these days. The seal is virtually maintenance free, keeps your bilges dry and doesn't need regular adjustment. Have a look at the website. PSS Install Video - YouTube

If you are unsure of the benefits of either system over the other, just ask around at your local sailing (or power boat) club.

Also, take a look at the following: What is the Stern Tube of a Ship? which looks at the basic structural requirements for supporting the stern tube.

Perhaps if you can give more detail about the style of boat you are working on, it may be possible for more owner builders to provide further detail. Best of luck.

[Auzzee]

PS. To the above. If you open the 'search' box (top of the page, third from the RHS) and type 'Stuffing box' into the search field, you will be rewarded with a lot of information which has been given on the topic, in previous year's posts.

[mico]

We installed a dripless seal on Mico - it works a treat. Australis still has her original bronze stuffing box.

With haul out facilities in Borneo a good 4 days sail away and even then pretty rudimentary, I'm so tempted to try and tackle our leaking stuffing box in the pen, Three options present themselves - (i) Plug the stern tube with putty wrapped in glad wrap, set up some good bilge pumps, get everything prepared and repack the stuffing box (although the previous owner tells me he couldn't get even the thinest packing in). (ii) plug and then drill and tap a grease nipple into the stuffing box and simply give it a squirt every now and then (have run with this system for years on a previous vessel quiet successfully) or (iii) with a diver in the water and working quickly, remove the prop (achievable underwater), unbolt the shaft and slide it back a foot, replug as best as possible (we have the space to do that before hitting the rudder) slide a dripless seal on and then put it all back together. - slide the shaft back up and then replug, finish job.

So what do people think? We'd love to go with the dripless and boy - I'm so tempted to give it a go.

Fair winds,

Mico

[bikofour]

Thanks for the info. will read up as much as i can. start the job on saturday. if you hear loud expletives around 14:00 Hrs. (BST) then you will now how i got on.

once again thank you.

safe sailing

[bikofour]

well fellow cruiser's installation went well - no major drama's. took longer than i thought it would - but best learning tool i have experenced in years. nothing like the feeling of getting to know your boat and what makes it tick.

moving on to my next task of installing winches. if i get into diff's i will give you a call.

safe sailing

[Auzzee]

Glad to hear things are progressing. Are you building a new boat or renovating an existing one?

[bikofour]

Hi Auzzee,

appreciated the advice - in the process of refurbishing my boat.

Colin Archer design,Gaff Headed Ketch, auxilliary cruising Yacht.
12 metres O/A length. Steel Condtruction.

it is my dream to sail of into the blue after i finish with work. i know you have heard this before, but fingers crossed i hope to achieve this dream. in year two of my five year plan.

right about now i expect you will be reaching for the delete button but to late i hope,

have no doubt i will be picking your brain an other day.

Good sailing

Bikofour.

[Auzzee]

Legendary Colin Archer. He designed great sea boats. A friend has a 34' steel Archer sloop which he has been cruising in for 30 years.

He's even done a stint in the Southern Ocean in the craft.
Best wishes.

[bikofour]

hi out there,

been readying about the installation of jacklines - my question is this - seems to be two methods of installation proposed.

(1) both ends fixed with shackles directly to the fixing rings.

(2) one end fixed to the fixing ring as in (1) other end, stern end - shackle fixed through rope ring then rope ring attached to fixing ring.

please explain why !!!!

bikofour