Boating101 Packing shaft fail DIY In the Bahamas our boat is sinking and I need to repack the shaft 

a few comments from a retired marine engineer. By the time the gland follower was tightened down there would have been enough space for the 3rd piece of packing. Even if it is slightly proud as long as over 1/2 of the packing is in the housing it will work and allow later adjustment as required. In any case take the opportunity to cut the 3rd piece to length and zip tie it to somewhere near the stern gland. You will thank me when you need it in a hurry and have put it away somewhere and can't find it. Joints should be at 120-degree intervals. I prefer cutting packing at an angle (at 90 deg to the shaft) should that the packing compresses on itself when tightening the follower. For adjustment I find it best to tighten up the follower as tight as reasonably possible measuring the gap between the follower and the shaft bracket is parallel (a feeler gauge around the shaft is also useful), back off the follower, check to see it further packing is needed, then tighten the nuts by hand. Once underway further tightening may be necessary. Check water is in fact flowing from the hose connected to the top, check temperature with a handheld digital thermometer and as you stated check all surface with emery cloth, including the shaft and the follower.

I'm one of those who expected much more water when the packing was removed. Great video!!!

I retired from working on tugboats and I helped the engineer repack the shafts a couple of times. Tugboats take 5 or 6 rounds of packing, and there about 12 studs on the flanges. We had to wait until the boat was low on fuel, and then transfer all the fuel and water to the bow to get the shafts as high as possible in the water. When the old packing came out, the water rushed in at an alarming rate. Your video showed the water coming in at a manageable rate, so now I'm not concerned about repacking the shafts on my 42 foot trawler. Thanks!!

Good example of how easy some projects can be when you're prepared and put forth some effort, great teachable moment... Thanks

Nice video, maybe a little info for next time you do it. They give you enough flax for 3 wraps because you are supposed to put 3 wraps of flax in a stuffing box. Also, you should not have the seams at 180 degree. Just some info for the viewers. I don’t know if you have a different type of stuffing box that only accepts 2 wraps, so I’m not correcting you on your job. For the viewers, 3 wraps is the rule of thumb for stuffing boxes. And the seams should be at 120 degrees. Keeps from premature failure. Hope this helps someone!

Good job" couldn't keep a straight face though..😅 fun video

It’s impossible to say “packing your shaft” without laughing!

The way we run the water feed lines from either the engines heat-exchanger or oil cooler ( like yours is) or on bigger engines from the rear cover of the raw water pump is we always fit a s/s tap or lever valve into the line, either at the take off point on cooler or down on the gland. The reason being is that the raw water pump ( deoending on brand and size) is essily capable of producing up to 40-50psi and sumtimes more. The gland packing can only take so much pressure so by fitting the valve you are able to regulate the water. Gland will still get fed but pressure is reduced. Saves gaving to heave the bejeezus out of the flange bolts/studs to slow leaks down. Also invest in a product called Res-Q-steel for all your threads, nuts and bolts. Far better than any anti-seize. Not for exhausts but the best for anything near water. Been working for us for 40-45plus years without issues.

Thanks for sharing this and all of your awesome tips etc.

Very informative video! I might have to switch back to stuffing boxes instead of these fancy PSS things.

Great video one thing I like to do different is to have a temperature gauge for the shaft and simply aim it at whatever part you would like to check the temperature of, not only is it safer it’s a more accurate way of knowing how hot the shaft and the housing get.

Nice vid, much appreciated👍🏼

Now I know how to do mine. Thanks for posting this.

Thanks Paul. I learned from you. Great informational video. Best wishes.Doc.... p.s. packing the shaft made me think i was on a sketchy video? I'm glad i stayed to see you do it? Enjoy life without regrets!

Thanks!

Great video

if you cut your ends on a 45degree angle it will help the seal a little for next time

Lol. *Introduction* "I'm not an idiot, I've done this before, no need to tell me in the comments what YOU THINK I've done wrong". Great disclaimer mate. If I had a YT channel, it's times like this I'd disable the comments. All you're gunna miss is the flattering stuff like "Great work, I learned a lot, thank you", none of which are valuable to YOU or them. YT comments either lean to vanity or criticism.

Your only removing the outer half theirs a lantern ring in line with waterline and 2 or 3 rings of packing beyond that... your half packed and the shaft is probably worn. Good luck!!!

Good job! You're a pretty good shaft packer. 😁

Absolutely just like when Pete showed me how to do it (at least tighten the bolts) not to hard…but it needs to be shown how to pack the shaft😂

Hello Captain Paull! Just wanted to reach out and thank you for checking our channel out too :) We love your videos and we also take pride in doing our own boat jobs. Hope to meet you guys one day!

Shoulda titled the video "Twins pack their shafts in exotic place" to get more hits.....although maybe not from your typical veiwers 😂

Great video. I was really intimidated the first time i had to perform this little chore, but after the first time, it was a breeze. Que sexual jokes lol.

Buddy of mine said he also used some kind of grease on the packing. Ever heard of that? I haven't. Been doing the boating thing for about 50 years. I mean. It makes sense, but just not sure about the long term effects on the packing.

Ah! You did use the Teflon packing. I didn’t realize it until I saw you holding the box. It says PTFE on it. PTFE is Teflon. That’s why it was acting different for you.

Also there is a tool that looks like a wine cork screw with a t handle it’s called a packing removal tool. 1 drip every 6sec when running it takes a long while o adjust and never overtighten. Never adjust while sitting still it cause premature shaft wear imho that’s way to tight watch it close when your running should be col to the touch

Packing shaft in the Bahamas living the dream...

Best way to do that is wrap packing around the shat and used a brand new razor blade I have done packing many times on large ship shaft packing and rudders.

I was expecting to see some shaft packing . Instead, I saw some shaft pack . Wth ... 😂

Good video- that 1/2" almost looked too small. I wonder if the 5/8 would have worked better if you hammered it down a bit?

So, I have packed shafts “ not on a boat”before and cut opposing angles,what do think about that as well as opposing seams?

Gear box redusernya putaran 1:1 atau 2;1..

I know this style of packing is the newest and brightest. I still prefer the rope style.

You’ll get a more accurate cut with a stanley knife.

Beavis and Butthead go boating and pack each other's shafts...?

TMI. 😂

You guys need some women who helps out packed your schafts

What I don't understand is why you do not lubricate the shaft and packing before it is pushed in. That would work much better than squizzing the dry packing in and worrying about the heat generated by spinning shaft.

Nice! -- QUESTION -- If the housing around the shaft, was longer and terminated at a point higher than the waterline, would water no longer come into the boat? ie why not extend everything so that it is closer to the engine and hence above the waterline and skip all the packing hassle??

-- QUESTION -- Does that packing actually slow or resist the turning of the shaft? How much power is lost due to the friction of the packing? Seems like an impossible task.. to grip so tightly onto something that is turning, that it becomes watertight.

😂