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440 Cpmy stuffing box access

Discussion in 'Ocean Alexander Yacht' started by JimmyL, Jan 9, 2016.

  1. JimmyL

    JimmyL Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2014
    Messages:
    43
    Location:
    Victoria, BC
    I have a 95 OA 440 Cpmy that we purchased last year. Love the boat and many adventures upcoming. Meanwhile, I'm completing all the servicing and want to work on engine alignment etc as the SB prop shaft is slightly out of line. While I get it up on the hard, I want to rebuild the stuffing boxes but access to this area from inside appears to be an oversight of the manufacturer. I'm guessing I'll have to make access panels but thought I'd check to see if anyone else had any insight into this?
  2. CharlesCalnan

    CharlesCalnan New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2016
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Contemplating same project this spring on '91 440 Merganser/Vancouver (Cummins 6BTAs). Any tips you could pass along?
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Yes, use GFO packing when you do it and you'll have to rarely touch the stuffing boxes for a good long while. It's amazing stuff.
  4. JimmyL

    JimmyL Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2014
    Messages:
    43
    Location:
    Victoria, BC
    Hi Merganser Captain.
    I wound up changing out the old stuffing boxes with a new dripless system. It was a bit more expensive but not too much after the haul out and pulling the prop shafts. I wanted to do a total overhaul including shaft inspection and engine realignment. If all the rest of the gear is ok by you, simply replacing packing would be cheaper.
    Just as a footnote, we looked at Merganser when she was for sale about 3 years ago in Sidney. Nice boat and she's what got us into ours.
    Cheers
    Jim
  5. CharlesCalnan

    CharlesCalnan New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2016
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Hi Jim and Captain J,
    Thanks for the replies. Merganser has been good to us so far with very few mechanical and only minor electrical issues - now sorted out. Compared to our Bayliner she gets amazing range if cruised at 8.2 kn (2.6nm/usgal). That's an odd speed but that's where she purrs. Elsewhere on the forum I've seen complaints about gelcoat but our hull and deck look like they're five years old instead of 25. As the drivetrain is vibration free, think I'll leave well enough alone and just go for GFO stuffing as recommended by Captain J above.
    Cheers, Chuck C
  6. JimmyL

    JimmyL Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2014
    Messages:
    43
    Location:
    Victoria, BC
    Hi Chuck C,
    We bought our boat that was moored about 4-5 slips away from yours in Port Moody. We recognized Merganser from when she was in Sidney. Both beautiful boats and no problems with ours either. I've been updating a bunch of systems on After Four for longer distance adventures but that just goes on... I would suggest you have the rudders pulled and check the bearings when you're out on the hard. Ours had no grease nipples from the factory and were completely dry. I rebuilt them and added nipples so hopefully won't have to do that again.
    Cheers,
    Jim
  7. CharlesCalnan

    CharlesCalnan New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2016
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Hi Jim,
    Pulled the rudders last spring as I had no more adjustment left on the packing and they were seeping slightly. One shaft was scored a bit; slight re-machining fixed that up. Both bearing races and balls were in perfect shape and well greased. They're so tall we couldn't get them out with the boat on stands, so had to get the travel lift back twice ($$$) for the R&R as the operator wouldn't block it up in the interim (the boat would have been dangerously high off the tarmac). If anyone else is considering doing this, suggest having your mechanic "at-the-ready" to disassemble and drop the rudders as soon as you lift out to save one travelift charge.
    CC