[rg500]

a typical stuffing box is required to leak, 40- 60 drops per minute. Most industrial packings are lubricated from the factory. When the stuffing box goes dry, the lube in the packing is squeezed out and lubes the shaft. A grease nipple on the stuffing box is there to replace any lube that has been used up.

During the winter, when you don't use the boat, pump grease in the box to keep the leakage to a minimum.

During the sailing season, monitor the leakage, at least 30 drops per minute when the shaft is rotating. If the stuffing box feels too hot, loosen the gland follower, when it starts to leak too much, tighten it a little.