Repacking the Stuffing Box


People ask about repacking the stuffing box. It's easy enough, once you've done it (and if you can reach it), but it's a bit scary to thing about if you've never done it before. And, since it's in an awkward position, you probably want to know ahead of time what you're facing.

You'll also need a set of wrenches that fits the stuffing box and can turn in the space available. Many Alberg 30s measure 1-7/8" across the packing nut and 2" across the lock nut, and use 3/16" flax, but measure yours to be sure. On the newer boats, there is another stuffing box on the rudder shaft. These tend to measure 2-1/8" on both the packing nut and the lock nut, and take 5/16" packing. (If your Alberg 30 varies from these measurements, please let me know.)

Here are some links (in no particular order) to articles on the subject:

diagram of drip free packing As an alternative to flax packing, you can use Drip Less® Moldable Packing. This product is a high-tech clay-like material. You use two rings of ordinary flax (or teflon) packing and one ring of this stuff in the middle, and coat everything with the provided packing lubricant. With this product, you can adjust your packing until it just barely does not drip when then engine is running. There will still be enough lubrication to protect the shaft (though the packing will feel a little warmer).

This product is available from

Western Pacific Trading, Inc.
3305 Spring Mountain Rd.
Suite 60
Las Vegas, NV 82102
phone 1-800-944-3501

This product is also available from West Marine
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