No leaks on mine

 

Thanks guys. Maybe it’s something else that’s leaking. Nothing stands out and just had the shaft seals replaced

 

Thanks again. I'm curious how much leakage is normal for the rudders. I seem to get a couple gallons after a few hours

 

Rudders shouldn’t leak at all. The leak is for cooling purposes and rudders don’t generate the heat.

 

Option B: Don’t remove old packing. Try adding two rings of new packing on top of the old stuff. Use the nut to compress each new ring one at a time to make room for the next ring. What’s left of the old stuff will keep rudder in place and keep water intrusion to a minimum. I did this to both rudders 9 years ago.

 

That is assuming there is enough room for the new packing, I didn't have enough and had to remove some of the packing to put new in. But to your point, might be worth the try.

This is great packing material and seems to hold up really well.

https://www.garlock.com/catalog/pro...roducts/compression-packing/compression-packing-by-material/graphite-and-carbon

 

I've repacked in the water, but would never do that again. Actually I would replace the stuffing boxes with rudder seals. Probably worth the investment, but the boat has to be out of the water for that.

If you do try and repack what in the water make sure your secure the rudder shaft before you disassemble the packing. Also try and cut the packing before hand as well. You will get a lot of water coming in and if complication comes about, you don't have many choices to put it back together.

 

Thanks Golfman, yeah, tightened 2 years ago, but that's the only time.

 

Have you tried tightening them down over the 15 years? If not, I would try that first. Probably a qtr to a half turn would do it. If the nuts are already all the way down, you can repack in the water, but be prepared. Precut the packing. When you pull the old out, stuff the new in quickly to reduce the water flow. Should take a few layers. Good luck.