For those who have a stuffing box on their prop shaft, how hard is it to get at and tighten? Is the jack shaft in the way?
I have an old PSS on mine and it needs to be changed. Thinking of going back to stuffing box on next haul out.
Thanks
We just re-did ours, traditional stuffing box, with a new Buck Algonquin shaft log hose and hose clamps. We got them from http://obersheimers.com, Dale's company. Took everything apart, cleaned it up new shaft, hose, hose clamps and packing.
The job wasn't too bad. It's a little tight, and taking a bit of time to rig good light and get comfortable pays off. We borrowed a prop puller so we could pull the shaft. The bolts that tie the shaft coupler to the Vee drive are tight clearance, so I couldn't get a socket on it. That makes it a bit of tedious job with open end wrenches, but not hard. You probably know, but don't use an impact driver on the prop nuts unless it is disconnected from the Vee drive, or you could damage the Vee drive.
Compass Marine has an article on how to do it on their web site and I found it pretty helpful as a first timer.
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box
Adjusting the nuts is easier if you have a set of stuffing be wrenches, but it can be done without. Buck Algonquin sells them, or someone in the harbor may have a set. Home Depot sells adjustable wrenches that work, but are a pain to use.
After cutting off the old shaft log, I checked the shaft against the hull, and found out it was a bit out of true. The shaft under the cutless bearing was also pretty worn, so new shaft.
For my stuffing box I bought a big ass box wrench online then cut it in half and cut a slot in the box end for the propeller shaft. Two wrenches for the price of 1. And the half-length wrenches can swing further in the small space.
I like your solution Leo, it's elegant and I bet it works well. There was isn't an over abundance of wrench swing room in there. Did you buy a 2 inch wrench? That was what I measured it at, but since I used an adjustable wrench, it wasn't perfect.
I use a "Ford Wrench" Google that for sources. Good for other things too.
It is a 2" wrench on my boat. I cut it much closer to the box end I can take a picture later. It's just fun carrying a 2" wrench around for a while.