Stuffing box quit weeping

[NightCrawler]

1990 42 GB Classic. Standard stuffing boxes, no mods. Been on the boat full time 4 years now. Stbd box drips very little at rest. Drips a bit more running, but well within comfort.
Port used to do the same. Lately (last 4 months) port does not drip at all at rest. Was giving up a tiny bit running. Now no water at all. Box temps are identical with IR reader, 82F last time out. Water is getting to the boxes via engine raw water pump.
We run the boat at least every three weeks year round. We have 8,800 miles in four years.

Should I be concerned about no weeping?

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

No, as long as temps stay cool

 

[kapnd]

I think any change that occurs without adjustment is cause to investigate.
Your standard stuffing boxes can be repacked with modern packing materials that can make them virtually dripless.

 

[Giggitoni]

We have ours adjusted so they stop dripping about two to three hours after the engines are shut off. When the engines are running and in gear, we have about one drop every five or six seconds. Similar temperatures as yours.

About twice per year we loosen the gland to create a drip with engines stopped. I then tighten them up until we have a drip about every 30 seconds. Eventually they stop dripping with engines off.

We don’t have a good reason to readjust them, just peace of mind, I guess. Plus, I never adjust them while engines are running, especially not in gear! Murphy’s Law will be sure to great us. Gives me goose bumps thinking about it.

 

[Comodave]

Mine didn’t drip at all. The PO had GFO in the stuffing boxes so when I rebuilt the port side this winter I stayed with GFO. GFO says run it 5 to 10 hours before tightening it. I did tighten it just a bit, nowhere near as tight as it was before and it was dripping a bit but has stopped now on it’s own. It still has a good 3/8” to 1/2” to go to be as tight as it was. We haven’t run it except from the launch back to our house so when we are able to run it I will have to keep an eye on the temperature on it compared to the other box.

 

[Comodave]

I put new hose, clamps and stuffing into it. It had 6 layers of packing in it before so I out 6 back in it.

 

[Great Lakes Drifter]

Leaky Rudder Posts

Good Morning all!
New to this forum
We have a 2010 58 Ocean Alexander MY, just purchased October 2019
In Lake Michigan, never been in salt.
My rudder posts are leaking, we are being told they are a rubber seal. not a packing gland situation. Any one have any knowledge about this? we plan on cruising this summer. Should the boat be pulled and repaired? Bilge pump triggers about once every 3 hours.
Thanks

 

[NightCrawler]

Thanks for the thoughtful feedback.

 

[Comodave]

Good Morning all!
New to this forum
We have a 2010 58 Ocean Alexander MY, just purchased October 2019
In Lake Michigan, never been in salt.
My rudder posts are leaking, we are being told they are a rubber seal. not a packing gland situation. Any one have any knowledge about this? we plan on cruising this summer. Should the boat be pulled and repaired? Bilge pump triggers about once every 3 hours.
Thanks

Welcome aboard. Is the bilge pump in good condition? If so then I would wait until the next haul out to do anything. Do the rudder posts have any bolts that can be tightened? Who told you that there isn’t a packing gland? I would confirm that since just snugging it a bit could stop the drip. Good luck.

 

[Great Lakes Drifter]

The pump in good shape, goes off about once every 3 hours. The rudder posts have an 8 bolt pattern on top, the bolts are snug and the weeping is between the top of the post and the 8 bolt cover. The marina mechanic informed me that there is NO packing rope like normal packing glands but is a rubber seal on the shaft. PS I trust this mechanic.
Since the boat has been laid up in heated storage for 7 months maybe rudder usage will slow the weep. so new we haven't taken her out yet, fixing all the Gremlins.

 

[Comodave]

Are there any zerks for adding grease? Maybe if you can add some grease it may slow the drips. I still would wait for your next haul to work on them.