| Parts of this problem was handled by professionals prior to take-over. This included making a new quadrant, new backing plate for the pedestal and generally cleaning up messy parts. However, lack of maintenance has lead to rust and wear. The flax in the stuffing box on the rudder stock, which is located below the water line, has obviously not been changed for years. Instead it has been tightened gradually to the extent that the "tightening ring" on the stuffing box was deformed, the rudder was hard to turn, and a groove was warn in the stainless steel stock. |   |
Cure| The frozen stuffing box was removed this winter, the rudder was dropped, and the old flax packing was negotiated out. It was hard as rock, and it's age is anyones guess. The bottom part of the stuffing box, which includes the flange against the hull was despite appearances in great condition and was cleaned and re-used. The top part was made of bronze and the "ears" were bent and slightly cracked due to over-tightening. A new one was custom made from SS, with an added strut on top. Since the old, hard, and over-tightened packing had warn a groove in the rudder stock, we're not expecting a new one to seal perfectly. Added one anyway, but also added a second line of defense. On the strut on the new top of the stuffing box, we put a flexible hose, into which we fit two simmerrings held in place by hose clamps. This provides a second seal which is alowed to move with any movement of the stock, and which is also slightly above the waterline. |   |
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