Delaminating packing box hose

[itsaboat]

I have a packing box hose that is starting to disintegrate. I am ordering parts and trying to schedule a haul out to fix it right, but in the mean time I want apply a "bandaid" to keep it sealed. I was thinking of wrapping many layers of some sort of tape around it to reinforce it and seal it. It would have to be strong and stick to itself well to create a good bond. I was thinking of a high quality rubbery electrical tape. Does anyone have recommendations of other material to use?

[jameswilson29]

West Marine silicone tape designed to stick to itself and seal pipes.

[itsaboat]

Thanks, I might try to find some locally. I just noticed it yesterday and it was a heart attack moment.

[RobGallagher]

Originally Posted by itsaboat

Thanks, I might try to find some locally. I just noticed it yesterday and it was a heart attack moment.

Also known as compression tape. It's sold as Atomic Tape at the boat shows, but, he does not have a website.

Handy stuff to have around. I use it as rigging tape.

My stuffing box hose split in two while 13 miles to the nearest travel lift. Kept me afloat and I was actually able to motor. I used an entire role, but the key is that water will not effect it bonding to itself.

[redhead78]

Gorilla duct tape, over whatever u use....Red

[jameswilson29]

Originally Posted by itsaboat

Thanks, I might try to find some locally. I just noticed it yesterday and it was a heart attack moment.

My surveyor found a split in the packing box house before I bought the boat. I used the silicone tape as a temporary repair for the delivery to my home port.

The funny thing is how difficult it was to remove the split hose from the packing box and shaft tube. It was very tough, even though split on the surface and suffering from dry rot on either end.

[itsaboat]

Thanks. I wrapped it in about 15' of silicon tape yesterday. I think it will hold until I replace it in the next couple of weeks. I'm not taking it out of the slip until the haulout, though, just to be safe.

[itsaboat]

Here is a photo of the tube. Pretty scary.