prop shaft packing

[sailaway]

Have been using gortex  but someone commented that there is a new packing that is dripless. Can't remember the name. Charlie

[Stu Jackson]

It's in the C34 tech wiki:

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box_packing

There is a whole section in the tech wiki on "Stuffing Box"

Ultra X is what it is called.

[2ndwish]

I just changed the packing on 2nd Wish.We had the WM PTFE/
graphite fiber stuff and Syntef lube for more than 4 years and it was fine. I recently noticed the nut was getting warm, tried readjusting it, no luck. Bought Duramax Ultra-X from Hamilton Marine for a few bucks (literally). I ended up using a little lube but the shaft is nearly dripless and quite cool to the touch. I get an occasional drip when running which  causes a fine spray of graphite loaded water as the shaft spins, but nothing which accumulates. I've probably run 10 hours since the switch and no noticeable change or accumulation. In short, pretty happy with the stuff. Also, I used  3/16" packing, did it at the dock.