John, Larry here, as I indicated to you in my email, be good to see you again.
I am coming up to work on our boat soon. Is your crealock on the hard?
If it is going to be, have them block the boat as high as they can. We had our Crealock 34 on the hard after a charter group put her on the rocks. We took the time to pull the rudder and shaft. replaced all the worn parts and repacked everything. The Rudder shaft drilled hole for the quadrant bolt had egg shaped out and was causing loose steering. Had that welded up while it was out of the boat. New bolt, and we now carry backup bolts (check out earlier posts about this) Lube the lower pivots while you have it out. Hard to get yourself to do this process, but now would be the time. I would be glad to crawl back in there and replace the packing for you. I too have been stuck, and I am a little guy! Now when I have to go into the engine compartment while alone on the boat, I rig a halyard with block and tackle on the low end; attach it to my climbing harness and lower myself head first. Mean" I can get back out, and I can hang upside down to adjust the stuffing box. (no pictures please) Drop me a line..