26 April, 2021 In and out and a long day

24 SM; 4.7 hours and boat in/out of the water

 It was time to leave the marina.  Great weekend and peaceful nights at the marina but work needs to be done and miles to accomplish.  We tidied up Serenity, filled the water tank and made one last trip to the trash can.  We were ready to go.  Marina   Clear skies and breezy from the NW.  Made contact with the boat yard owner and he confirmed he would be ready to haul us out at 1100.  We untied the lines and got underway at 0945, going slowly through a couple of no wake zones and tidal current against us.  It was a very short trip of about 7 miles.   Then we were in the boat yard channel and soon large nylon bands wrapped around Serenity and we were lifted out of the water.

Serenity on the travel lift headed to the yard

We paid for blocking because we were uncertain what the bottom of the boat would look like after nearly two years in the water, and how long it would take me to repair the stuffing box.  Otherwise a quick hang in the straps and back in the water would have been cheaper.  Once secure, we gave a thorough inspection.  While the bottom does need a coat of new paint/ablative coating, it was not too bad and good enough for the journey ahead.  The rudder, propeller and skid on the keel were in excellent shape.  There was no play in the prop/or shaft.  Great news.  

Prop shaft and anode

Prop, rudder and keel

I turned to getting the stuffing box separated from the stern tube and jam nut in order to remove the old packing.

Three components of stuffing box apart

I generously soaked everything with PB blaster and let it soak.  I have to remove three drawers and a foot step to get decent access; but still pretty much have to stand on my head to reach down into a 8 inch wide, 18 inch deep bilge cavity.  I used several different picks to dig out the old stuffing material.  Waxed flax.  Once all the old was out, I cleaned everything well to include the propeller shaft.  

Upside down, holding an iPhone with other hand for a picture

Nice and clean packing nut, i gathered up example pieces of the old and we walked a half mile to a fabulous marina parts store.  There are about five or so very large boat yards in the area handling commercial, recreational and big yachts.  A few of the yards allow DYI.  What a well stocked parts store.  In consultation with the sale rep I purchased two feet of 3/16 inch flax.  Seemed like the right size--$2.00.  Waxed flax is not expensive.  My first time repacking a stuffing box and using the new flax, things just did not look right or feel right.  I put three new rings of cut flax into the packing nut but it seems sloppy.  Out it all came and back to the parts store I went.  This time purchasing 1/4 thick flax.  This was the ticket.  After cutting three rings and slipping each ring around the shaft and into the packing nut and ensuring each cut end was not aligned with previous ring it all came together nicely.  I hand tighten the packing nut until tight then tightened the jam nut down.  1500 in the afternoon.  Found the yard owner and asked if he could put us back into the water today.  All set, away went Serenity on the travel lift and was back in the water.  We climbed aboard and fired up the diesel as the boat settled into the water.  I checked the packing nut and boy was it leading.  I retighten hand tight once again.  We were completely lowered into the water and we backed out of the travel lift slings and headed NE on the AICW.  While POC was at the helm I continued to check and adjust the packing nut to stem the flow of water.  

Dripping too much but I allowed the new packing to wear in without being too tight.  We decided to make a long day and with favorable winds late in the afternoon, would cross the Neuse river and find anchorage near Oriental, NC.  The Neuse becomes very large body of water nearing the ocean. It can get very nasty.  In fact we have three large bodies of water ahead before reaching Norfolk.  Even sailors who make passage off shore comment that these waters can be as rough as any they have sailed.  We will pick movements careful before venturing out.  Forecast is OK tonight and for a few hours tomorrow morning then is getting bad then worse.  Crazy strong, prolonged winds over 15 and 20 knots for the next few days.  For tonight we are anchored at 1845 in 6 feet of 72 degree water.  Air temp is 71. (map)

3325 SM traveled; 3325 hours hobbs