Re: 76' 28 Bertram Restore: repacking shafts??
Nice boat.
First, are you sure you need to replace the packing (?), it may be serviceable as it usually lasts for decades. That being said. ... You need to get a couple of feet of proper size packing from a marine supply place (I have used, but don't know if there is a difference in regular valve stem packing from a plumbing supply place.) Once all the old packing is removed from the packing nut (packing puller - looks like a small cork screw helps here), cut three rings of packing that will fit snuggly around the shaft with the ends just butting. Place the three rings around the shaft with the butt seams staggered. Slide down & tighten the packing nut followed by the locknut, and lock the two together. The rudder post is not so critical, tight enough so it doesn't leak - should be done in the water, but loose enough so as not to bind & cause stiff steering. The prop shaft is MUCH more critical, and can best be done only when underway. The prop shaft packing should be tightened up to the point that you get one drip of water every 15 to 30 seconds or so. Once things are set they should be checked on a couple of times to see that things don't change as the packing takes its set. On the prop shaft stuffing, too loose and you have excess leaking, to tight and you have no cooling & lubricating of the packing and you can score the shaft, or in a worst case situation the packing & stuffing box can seize to the shaft, tearing the stuffing box from the shaft log & sinking the boat.
Both jobs are really quite easy to do and the adjustments are simple once you understand the desired result. - Usually access & getting to them is the toughest part of the job.
