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Rudder Stuffing Box Nut
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I'm sure I'm over thinking this but I figure the downside risk is possibly too great not to check with those that know the answer. My rudder shaft has a slight leak which only shows up when out sailing. I understand that the recommended solution is to tighten the silicone nut by 1/4 turn or 90 degrees. Thanks to Maud I have a suitable spanner but I noticed that there is a stainless bracket screwed into the bulkhead - which looks like it is there to prevent the nut from turning once adjusted. The bracket appears to only ever be replaced into the same spot it gets removed from. As the nut is hexagonal this means the nut can only be turned through multiples of 60 degrees if the stainless steel bracket is to be returned to where it came from. As neither 60 degrees, nor 120 degrees are 90 degrees..I'm a bit cautious. Do I tighten it 60 degrees and see if that is enough..and if I continue to get a leak..move up to 120 degrees?..or am I missing something entirely?
  Richie Whyte
Why Knot SM2K#261 C38, Marina Salinas Torrevieja, Spain |
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Remove the locking device, which varies over the years of production Turn until tight, 1/6th of a turn at a time. It will probably only need 1 to 2 faces of the hex shaped nut. Replace the locking device. Best, CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School +1 832-380-4970 | brouse@... 720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 www.AmelOwnersYachtSchool.com Yacht School Calendar: www.preparetocastoff.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html On Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 17:15 Richie Whyte <richiewhyte@...> wrote: I'm sure I'm over thinking this but I figure the downside risk is possibly too great not to check with those that know the answer. My rudder shaft has a slight leak which only shows up when out sailing. I understand that the recommended solution is to tighten the silicone nut by 1/4 turn or 90 degrees. Thanks to Maud I have a suitable spanner but I noticed that there is a stainless bracket screwed into the bulkhead - which looks like it is there to prevent the nut from turning once adjusted. The bracket appears to only ever be replaced into the same spot it gets removed from. As the nut is hexagonal this means the nut can only be turned through multiples of 60 degrees if the stainless steel bracket is to be returned to where it came from. As neither 60 degrees, nor 120 degrees are 90 degrees..I'm a bit cautious. Do I tighten it 60 degrees and see if that is enough..and if I continue to get a leak..move up to 120 degrees?..or am I missing something entirely? |
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Richie Whyte
Thank you Bill, much appreciated.
Richie Richie Whyte Why Knot SM2K#261 C38, Marina Salinas Torrevieja, Spain |
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Richie, Yes, 60 degrees at a time is appropriate. And what you are missing is that several boats on this forum have reported stripping out that nut and having a bigger repair on their hands. So go nice and firm and smooth with that tightening. Finally, sea state is a big factor. If you are out in heavy, particularly with following seas, and you hear that autopilot linear drive.working hard on the rudder to keep control, then there is a good chance you will get seepage. But then when you get back onto a reach in more moderate seas it may seal itself back up and no more water. When I hear the autopilot working hard, and I can't reduce it with better sail trip, I lift the bunk and check how it's doing. Just went through the drill on our passage from Hampton VA to Antigua. Best regards, Daniel Carlson on sv BeBe On Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 7:15 PM Richie Whyte <richiewhyte@...> wrote: I'm sure I'm over thinking this but I figure the downside risk is possibly too great not to check with those that know the answer. My rudder shaft has a slight leak which only shows up when out sailing. I understand that the recommended solution is to tighten the silicone nut by 1/4 turn or 90 degrees. Thanks to Maud I have a suitable spanner but I noticed that there is a stainless bracket screwed into the bulkhead - which looks like it is there to prevent the nut from turning once adjusted. The bracket appears to only ever be replaced into the same spot it gets removed from. As the nut is hexagonal this means the nut can only be turned through multiples of 60 degrees if the stainless steel bracket is to be returned to where it came from. As neither 60 degrees, nor 120 degrees are 90 degrees..I'm a bit cautious. Do I tighten it 60 degrees and see if that is enough..and if I continue to get a leak..move up to 120 degrees?..or am I missing something entirely? |
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