Ruder Packing Gland

[ishmael]

Just discovered that our rudder packing gland is seeping water more rapidly than I'd like.  Can't tighten it anymore.  Kicking myself for not checking it when we were out of the water a few months ago.  It just got lost in the scurry to get back in and head south.  Anyway,  has anyone out there every repacked their rudder packing in the water?  I think it should be possible but not sure.  Also what size packing have y'all used.

Thanks,
Ron

[swiftibis]

Hi Ron,
I repacked mine in the water in July, no problems.  I had perfect access as I had just cut out my fuel tank and hadn't put the 2 new ones back in.  With no fuel tank, full fwd water tank, no dinghy in davits and empty p/s tanks the gland was just at waterline hence very little water rushing in, so the bilge pump handled it no prob.  I had precut the 3 rings of packing, and there wasn't any packing remaining(!) so the job was done in 10 minutes.  My access from aft lazarette was nearly impossible due to my Benmar autopilot quadrant that was in the way, otherwise I would have done this in the boatyard 1 month earlier.   Sorry but I can't remember the packing size, but I think it was the same size as the shaft.  1/4" perhaps?  I bought 3 sizes and returned what wasn't needed.  You might keep a sponge handy which you can cram in the hole while you're working to minimize water ingress, if you're nervous.
Mike
Boracay Star, 1984 P367 Cutter Hull 26