23 IB - How Many Drips for Stuffing Box? How do you Adjust?

[John3325]

So I decided to repack the stuffing box again.

Went a lot better this time. Once new packing was in place, I hand tightened the packing nut on and stopped once I felt any pressure against the new packing.

I ran the boat well, constantly checking for temp, for about 2 hours. It was still dripping pretty good, almost a constant stream.

I backed off the lock nut, hand tightened again about 1.5/2 flats of the packing nut, and seems to be the right spot.

Barely drips on the mooring, drips every 5-6 seconds while cruising.

I think the lesson is to NOT over tighten the packing nut with new packing. I repacked with GTU again, and this time it seems to be packed correctly and working right.

Even after cruising for a few hours I can still put my hand on the packing nut, highest temp recorded was high 88.4 F.