Leaking through rudder stock

[gravytrain_78]

Hi, I have recently purchased a 1985 Century Coronado. Direct drive to a 340 Merc. I've been eyeing up these semi-classics for years and finally got the green light to procure one. I wanted an early 70's one but I have fallen in love with what I found and after our first day on the water on Saturday I am still smiling like a Cheshire cat .

One issue I have is a small trickle of water through the hull in way of the rudder stock. I seemed it small enough not to let it ruin the family day and it leaked about 5 gallons in 4 hrs.

I'm guessing I need to drop the rudder out and sort this out and I read a lot of posts about rudder boxes and repacking but I wanted to see whether I could get a heads up on what sort of tools I would need before I took this on and also if I need to repack or reseal, what materials I would need.

Also, if anyone has a Coronado out there and has done this before, some specific tips would be welcomed....like do I need to pull the fuel tank out to do the job!?!?!

Thanks and happy boating or happy projects.... whichever stage you are at

 

[Woodonglass]

This might be helpful...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq0cbqysxeg

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25087&title=how-to-replace-rudder-packing

 

[Scott Danforth]

Have you tried tightening the rudder gland?

 

[Ned L]

Can you post a picture of the rudder stuffing box to make sure you get proper direction. I will say that rudder stuffing boxes are much more forgiving to adjust than prop shafts (no spinning shaft and heat buildup).
If it a stsandard stuffing box it probably just needs adjusting.
Unless something is really wrong there is no reason for dropping the rudder.

 

[gravytrain_78]

Thanks all for the tips. I will get a chance to look at it again next weekend and hopefully address the problem. Much appreciated!

 

[gravytrain_78]

Finally managed to get to the boat after traveling for work a lot recently. I think I tighten the nut with the red arrow down on to the nut with the red arrow. Can someone confirm please? If so, I'll have to pull the whole lot out and re-pack the box as the nuts are done tight together and seems there is no more room. Thanks for your help.

 

[Ned L]

Ok,. So now that we have a picture,..... where was the water coming from?

I will assume it was coming from between the top packing nut (red arrow) and the steering arm above it.

if that is the case, then yes you needed to tighten the packing nut.
turn the lock nut (purple arrow) down and away from the packing nut (red arrow), then tighten the packing nut down maybe a half turn, then turn the lock nut back up against the packing nut.

If there are no more threads to turn the locknut down, then you will need to loosen and raise the steering arm enough to turn the packing nut up and above the stuffing box enough to add some more packing.
If there is not enough space to raise the steering arm that much you may well havd to drop the rudder to get the steering arm out of the way.

 

[gravytrain_78]

Thanks Ned L for the tips and thanks to Woodonglass for the link to the correctcraft guy who did the job. I ended up dropping the rudder out and checking everything, re-packed the stuffing box and re-assembled everything. Glad I did, as there were some other issues that I learned about and sorted along the way. So, all back together and basically dry now. Thanks for the help guys.