I have a 1981 Catalina 38, and the rudder tube packing gland is pulling out of the top of the rudder tube (now at least I know where the water is coming in from!). The rudder tube rises from the bottom of the hull about 10 inches and is capped by a brass stuffing box. The bottom section is in the tube, and the top section clamps down onto it with the packing material in between. It is this brass fitting that is pulling out of the fiberglass tube. There is about 3/4 to one inch of brass showing between the top of the tube and bottom side of the flange where the two sections of the packing gland bolt together. I can also see where the ''glass on the top of the tube flares out slightly where it used to mate with the flange. Should I just be able to slide this the rest of the way out, and after proper surface prep, apply
epoxy and push it back in? If so, should I thicken the
epoxy or use it straight?