tophatyachts.com

Hi Hatters,
I need to replace the packing of the stern gland on my Yanmar 1GM10. I was hoping that some of you have undertaken this chore beforehand, and I am seeking you input into my activity.
Firstly, as to the material used, I note that on ebay, you can buy Graphite based packing material, is this what you have used, and if so, how much did you need to purchase?;
Secondly, as to the installation, how did you undertake this: did you (a) Haul out for the exercise; (b) undertake it in the water (as do the long-boats in the UK); or (c)beach the boat at low tide, resting up against a pier?
Thanks for your input.
Cheers,
Kevin,(KJD13)
Wayward Lady, a Mk3,
Williamstown, Vic

First we need a photo of your stern glan to determine what you have.
Why? Most Top Hats have had various types installed over the last 50 odd years.

From what you have said it would be best done during a haul out.

Beaching and then running into a problem would sink your Top Hat

The stern glan packing on Seaka is Whitworths 34368 10mm. One length is enough for the three rounds of the shaft.

Thanks Phillip, I will get a photo when the lock-down ends.
Kevin,
Wayward Lady

Hi Kevin;

I replaced my gland packing in the water a couple of years ago. I nervously undid the gland nut and backed it off to find that the water inflow was quite low. It is restricted by the size of the slots in the cutlass, and was far below the pumping capacity of the bilge pump. Obviously you wouldn't want to leave it unattended like that, but for the hour so it took for me to remove the old and fit the new packing, it wasn't a problem.

In fact when I did mine I had to go ashore briefly to get something and was a bit concerned at leaving it even though the pump was coping just fine. It was summer and cold water wasn't a problem, so I jumped in and wrapped some rag tightly around the shaft and jammed it firmly up against the cutlass. This further slowed the flow to just a trickle of something like a couple of litres per hour.

I suggest you do a "dress rehearsal" first so you know you have all the right tools, and know how to put it back together in a hurry if needed. Depending on the layout, you may have to remove the shaft coupling to get enough space to pull the nut back. It would be a good idea to also replace the flexible tubing while you're getting filthy in that area.

Now for the mea culpa: mine is a Compass 28 with a 2GM, not a Top Hat. But nothing should be too much different from yours except for possible variants of stern gland.

Cheers, Graeme

Thanks Graeme,
Cheers,
Kevin