Replacing the Stuffing Box with a dripless (PSS) system

[EchoLodge]

My 1990 SN has 800 hours on it and as of last year, I had not done a thing to the stuffing box. When I noticed it really starting to leak, I adjusted the stuffing box to slow the water down (2 - 4 drips a minute per nautique). I was going to replace the cotton string with the synthetic but was wondering if I should replace the stuffing box with a dripless system. Is the $200 worth the cost?

[tryan]

200 bucks for a dripless seal or a buck for some flax packing.

if you store the boat in the water , go for the dripless. if you don't, i could think of a few more things i could blow 200 bucks on.

[skinautique]

I would just replace the packing. The true benefit to dripless is on the Vdrives because it is such a pain to get at the packing. With your boat, it is a piece of cake to get at it.

[EchoLodge]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts.....

[M3Fan]

I thought of doing this when I first got the boat, but I'd rather spend the cash on several more important items before that.

[EchoLodge]

Maybe I will install a shower, family loves the heater I put in this season! :D

[EchoLodge]

Piece of cake... 10 minutes and when using the synthetic string.... No more leaks.

[tryan]

do you have to retighten the synthetic packing after you run it in?

you should have a drop a couple times a minute with the organic string and none when the shaft is not spinning. the water is supposed to lubricate the shaft.

[EchoLodge]

Per my mechanic... The teflon in the packing does not need the water lube that the rope does. I put 2 hrs on the boat after I installed it and still no leak.

[tryan]

good to know. thanks.