OK how often do you replace the hose that attaches the hull to the stuffing box? I had replaced mine at 11 years when I bought the boat and it seemed just fine. The replacement has been in 19 years and still looks and feels fine so I'll probably go another year, but I wonder how long others have gone. I've always liked to say that the only original hoses are the shower and refrigerator drain hoses, but there are some that will be due for a second replacement soon. :-X
If I had any question about it, I would say that it's due for changing. Changing it out is cheap insurance. How do the clamps look?
We keep our seacocks closed when we are off the boat except for the cockpit drains. Those hoses need to be in good shape. The same applies to the hose for the stuffing box. It is in the water all the time, and you may not be there when it gives up.
It looks perfect, clamps look new, I'm in fresh water and that helps. I'm wondering how often others change it.
I was going to post this picture of my peidro hose under my thread for " Below the waterline restoration" but I am going to post it here instead. The cost of the haul-out suddenly seemed inconsequential after seeing this swollen and blown out hose. These hoses are no ordinary hose. They have many extra plys for strength. These plys soak up water over time which is why they swell up before they fail.
(http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/5/3/2428483/piedrotube.JPG)
I was told this tube is too long to be reliable. If the hose is too long it can twist and bind and tear itself apart. The replacement I got was a few inches shorter, around 6". The shaft log an stuffing box on my pearson are 2.25" OD. Also they gave me T-bold clamps to put it back in with in lie of ordinary hose clamps. These are now the hot set-up in marine clamps for places where it really matters.
This is one hose I would never want to see fail. It's a big hole way below the waterline that you can't stick a bung into.
Pete W. Hull # 6
I had my stuffing box sand blasted as I could not find a replacement locally and I bought a new peidro hose that was 2 1/4" ID. Seems that Buck Algonquin is the supplier for this type of hardware.
http://www.buckalgonquin.com/pages/ProductPages/drivetrain/PB_standard_spud_page.html
The correct part number appears to be 00pb113h. Anyone else ever had to replace this assembly?
Pete W.
Thanks Pete, I wonder if that hose has ever been replaced. I believe mine is 2" I.D.
Here's an installed picture of the stuffing box assembly including hose from Buck Algonquin. They are believed to be the OEM. I substituted the toggle bolt clamps for what came with it. I will cut the extra thread off to prevent some sort of worse catastrophy if the hose ever spins out.
Buck calls for 1/4" packing rope on this part with 1 1/8" shaft. I found that when using the Teflon material from Gore 3/16" material was what it took. 10 minutes out from launch at the shipyard we stopped in the bay and adjusted the spud for drip with the drive in neutral.
(http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/5/3/2428483//stuffingbox.JPG)
This was the final step in my "below the waterline restoration" thread. I will be posting final photos there soon. Pete W.