Albin 43 Rudder shaft leak

[VA3MRJ]

My 1978 43 DC has a steady stream of water leaking from the rudder post. I cannot see the post since its hidden by hydraulic steering quadrant and autopilot. Is it the same design as a shaft seal?
I know how to replace the packing on those type. Has anyone upgraded to a new style dripless rudder post seal?

p.s. Still have original fuel tanks, no leaks, and teak decks, no leaks..just kidding I chase deck leaks all the time but love the teak decks.

[Veebyes2]

Best if you can wait till next haul out, drop the rudder, clean everything & repack gland with a teflon packing.

Get ready for lots of water coming in if you repack in water.

[bccanucker]

Here is a link to my post in AOG about my rudder (36' DC) and there are pictures of the rudder shaft seal
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=4579&p=27380&hilit=rudder#p27380

Mine is leaking as well and have tightened. I have looked at fixing this in the water but have chickened out. To do it right the frame above has to come out. Big job.

[VA3MRJ]

The boat is out of the water for a couple of months so I will strip out the bracket and autopilot arms to see what is involved. I was hoping to just tighten it a bit like a engine shaft seal, but it looks like maybe a different style of seal.

[jleonard]

My 1983 40 has the same stuffing box arrangement for the rudder as the prop shaft had originally. I have since gone dripless on the prop shaft.
A simple turn on the nuts was all I neeeded to stop the leak at my rudder. That was 5 years and it is still dry.

[VA3MRJ]

Thanks, hope mine is the same arrangement. The prop shaft seal has been updated, as well.

[Boatmon]

Dave, as Jay said should just be able to snug up the nuts on the packing gland.

If you wind up bottoming out the nuts you'll need to repack it, in this case look for Garlock teflon packing that is the correct size.

Packing composites have come a long way since 78