A Stupid Question

[captbuddy]

I feel I already know the answer but I'm going to ask it anyway. Just found I had a minor leak in my rudder on the starboard side. I tighten it up a little and it appears to have stopped. My questions is do I have to haul the boat to have the packing changed out. Did the shafts last fall when I did the bottom and did not even think about the rudders. Thanks,
captbuddy

 

[Avenger]

Without getting too involved in something I can't see from here; These things require periodic maintenance, and an occasional tweak of the adjustments isn't a cause for panic. And yes, it's possible to replace packing in the water. If the leak doesn't reappear, worry about it later. Unless you've bottomed the adjustment.

 

[smoothmove]

Could you poke a little plumbers putty temporarily around the rudder shaft on the outside before removing the packing to keep things drier while you repack? Don't know - never tried it - just wondering.
Eric

 

[rsmith]

The rudder shafts don't spin and don't wear out like the propeller shafts. I've never replaced mine and their 47 years old.

 

[bobk]

The rudder shafts are not likely to wear out, but they can get pitted. My rudder cutless bearings however became worn and the shafts were moveable. We added goretex packing in the water in an effort to stop the leaks but because of the worn bearings it didn't work. Found the pitting when the rudders were out. Had the shafts lightly sand blasted, installed new bearings, Goretex packing and no leaks after three years.

Bobk
1981 48MY

 

[Nonchalant1]

Don't need to change packing until you have bottomed out on the adjustment nuts. Also, check the upper bearings above the packing glands to make sure the shafts can't wobble or shake and loosen up the packing material. Others have reported here that you can add one or two more rings of packing and tighten again, but if you've got the packing glands up to do that, I'd repack, which you can do in the water, just make sure your bilge pumps are OK first.