How much is too much

[GJD]

Had the port engine seacock replaced. Hauled her out, nice coat of paint on the bottom, new valve and back into the drink we go ... The original leak is fixed (had the frozen/busted valve replaced) but now the port rudder post and port prop shaft are both leaking pretty well. Bilge pump is cycling every 20 minutes or so.

At what point do we pull her again and fix those? Just hoping for a couple opinions. Thanks all.

It's Spring !!!

 

[Boatsb]

leaking where? if it's the packing it can be fixed in the water. if it's the hardware any leakage is too much.

 

[Bottom Gun]

The packing can dry out on the hard and then leak when splashed. Usually a little snugging up (couple of turns) is all it takes to stem the flow.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I'd try to adjust the rudder port packing gland in the water. If not, then unfortunately you're in for another haulout- bilge pump cycling at the dock every twenty minutes is a LOT of water coming in. I wouldn't let it go. Sorry.

If you have to do another haulout, I would service EVERY seacock with the boat out of the water, replace all the packing in shaft logs and rudder ports, etc. If you do it all, your chance of any further problems goes down quite a bit.

 

[spartonboat1]

The packing can dry out on the hard and then leak when splashed. Usually a little snugging up (couple of turns) is all it takes to stem the flow.

While you are at it, check the tightness of the bolts that hold the triangle brass plates in plate, in which are the shaft logs, through which the rudder posts extend. Those bolts don't so much loosen, as the wood plates shrink a little under the pressure of the bolts and nuts in the triangle. Just a thought.

 

[Genesis]

I change both rudder and shaft packing in the water. No big deal.

 

[REBrueckner]

I agree with the above comments...if it's still leaking after a day or two after splash, snug the packing nut...if it takes anywhere near a FULL turn, rather than say 1/8 or 1/4 turn...just replace the packing at next haul out...or if the nut is down far and leaking continues, add another ring of packing while in the water...

Changing out packing while in the water is ok as Genesis says but if you have to work in a hard to access area (which is usually the case) it can be wet and messy....cut your new packing to proper circumference before removing the old so you can insert a ring of packing and push it in...this minimizes water accumulation....it's not a sinking issue but it's a real pain if if splashes around and if you have to work with it in your face...

 

[GJD]

As always, best advise is right here. Thanks guys.