Stuffing box hose

[ian w]

I am assuming that changing a stuffing box hose on a 1981 53 MY is not a DIY proposition.How many hours yard time should this take.Boat is coming out anyway for antifouling.

 

[dsharp]

There is no easy answer to that question. You have to pull the shaft back far enough to remove and replace the hose. It could take an hour or two to get the shaft and the coupling apart or it could take twice that if you have to start heating things with a torch to get it apart. You may or may not have to drop the rudder to get the shaft back far enough. If you want to minimize the bill you could give the coupling bolts and the steering arms a shot of penetrating oil the day or two before and let it start soaking. I would take a look at the cutlass bearings for replacement while you have the shaft out.