Catalina 27 rudder post stuffing box

Posted By: Tom Hertel
Date: 3/2/08 5:57p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

During the past year I have had some trouble keeping the lake out of my Catalina 27! It was out of the water for 2 years and when I put it back into Lake Michigan last summer, the rudder post showed a slow leak. Upon investigation, I discovered that the previous owner had patched around the bottom collar of the rudder stuffing box. The bottom collar of the stuffing box has come loose (apparently again) so that tightening the box does nothing to seal the tube. I got through last summer with a good bilge pump and lots of duct tape, but I want to repair this properly before the boat goes in again in the spring. Can someone answer the following questions? Q1: How is the bottom collar of the rudder stuffing box normally attached to the rudder tube? Right now, all I see is the outer fiberglass of the tube. Is there a metal tube inside? Is the collar welded to this? Q2: Any ideas on how to reattach the lower collar to the rudder tube? Has anyone else had this same problem? Thanks in advance for any advice. TH