Stuffing Box

thingiverse

A sailboat's stuffing box features a stern tube that's marginally larger than the propeller shaft itself. Moreover, it comes equipped with packing nut threads or a gland nut, both crucial for the proper sealing process. The packing material resides within the confines of the gland nut and is responsible for forming a watertight seal. To achieve this seal, the shaft is carefully wrapped in packing before being placed inside the gland nut. Subsequent tightening onto the stern tube compresses the packing, thus creating an effective barrier against the shaft. A critical aspect of stuffing box operation lies in achieving a precise plunger alignment - one that ensures optimal flow and prolonged wear life. The construction of stuffing box components often employs stainless steel, brass, or other materials specifically suited to their intended application.