Replacing Shaft rope bearing packing ?? Any tips

Josh I don't think I can make it to Badin Lake this weekend but if I can I will get in touch. If you have any questions just give a shout.

winniskier wrote: start by tightening the nut and then see if that cures it

That's were I would start if you find that is where all the water is getting in. Get back there and check everything out before you start making adjustments. If it is the shaft seal make sure that it does not get too hot after tightening. Check it several times after adjusting starting with a short run, then progressively longer runs ending with a good long fast run. I get around 4 drips a minute which works for my rig.

Similar procedure for the rudder seal except that is does not need to drip and will not get hot. Just make sure that you are not stiffening the steering too much.

I have no idea whether the packing has been replaced in the life of my 1997. This summer the bilge pump is discharging water very frequently, leading me to believe that the stuffing box needs some attention. Can I start by tightening the nut and then see if that cures it?

Keegan
    The last part of that post was ment for you thanks..I got a little confused lol ..

This might help also

Repacking a traditional stuffing box

Thank You so much for the helpful video.. I guess my "Friend" did not get to watch this video..lol

8122 Brain

Thank you for all the great advice I will sure keep you posted after this weekend when I tackle it.... The PO feed me a line of bull when he was throwing me his sell pitch "this boat is great blah blah blah never gave me any issues nor has it left me stranded" That line... Dont get me wrong I love the boat when its RIGHT ...The motor runs amazing best starting older motor I have ever been around..The transmision seems to run very smooth forward an reverse... I have not miked the deminsion of the coupling yet but that is a great recomendation thank you ... Now when I adjusted the pitch of the motor one I got the shaft as centered as I could going threw the bottom of the hull an the support under the boat..I also kept close measurment of the adjusting bolts movement...If If i have made any mistakes please correct me im here to learn ..

Yes the shaft broke on me this weekend while we were out on the boat... It broke in the area you were describing , as we were tearing things apart we realized that the motor was out of adjustment we aligined the motor to were it needs to be the best we could just centered the shaft threw the hull....

Thanks yal for the welcoming .. I really appriciate every ones advice I went to a Ski Nautique dealer near blues creek they were no help what so ever an extreamly rude...But I knew i could find help on here lol...I will be working on it this weekend an i will be sure an let every know how it goes thanks again....BTW I cant figure out how to make my picture of my boat my profile pic that sounds bad but it is what it is .....

Josh - Welcome to the site. These boats are great & will serve you well. There is maintenance to be done - but it can all be done by you, with the exception of the tranny.

On the rope packing, I suggest using the goretex style, get it from Ski Dim or Correct Parts (site sponser). It may be 3/16 or 1/4 - you can use a drill bit as a gage in the gap between shaft & gland to see which one you need. The suppliers may know which one you need if you call them.

To install, just cut to the circumference length (I cut slightly long for good compression). It takes 3 rings. Stagger the cut ends 120 deg apart.

Adjust the packing for about 1 drip every 10 seconds when the boat is in the water. A good 2nd check is to make sure it is not getting hot after running at speed for a while.

Let us know how you are progressing on the repair.

84naughty wrote: Whats up im new to the Nautique world I just bought my first 84 Nautique after being told how great these boats are .. But it has been a nightmare since the day i brought it home....

Just like when buying a car (or anything for that matter) being an educated buyer is always a plus.
These boats are great(I own two) but they are not all treated the same buy their owners. Knowing the signs of what is a good purchase and what to walk away from is always key.