Teflon (NOT GRAPHITE!!!) packing seal

Rudder overhaul, please read carefully

We read a document issued by a yard, and sent to a S&S Swan owner who had to overhaul the rudder of a S&S Swan; in the document the owner was instructed to use Teflon or Graphite packing seal to be inserted underneath the packing gland.

Thats' a big mistake, which could be lethal to the stainless steel rudder shaft.

As Lars Ström told many times, and was never tired

"...If the seal is graphite impregnated you should remove it, and check the stock and gland for corrosion. Graphite is very high in the galvanic series and will cause stainless material to corrode when both are immersed in sea water...*

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

* For your reference see also: D. Gerr, Boat mechanical systems handbook, how to design, install, and evaluate mechanical systems in boats, London, 2009, p. 193