Rudder Post Stuffing Box

[C Skemp]

Hi All,

This is my first post to the group. I am the very happy new owner of hull #084, Balandra Rose. She is currently in Rhode Island, but once I get her launched I will be sailing her up to her new home waters in Rockport, Maine. 

My first question has to do with the rudder post stuffing box. Could someone share what the size of the shaft packing is? I am remote from the boat and didn't measure before heading home yesterday. Working to gather correct parts before my next trip down. 

The back story is that I discovered that after sitting on the hard for a couple of years the rudder post was frozen to the stuffing box. Trying to turn the wheel was twisting the rubber hose. I removed the quadrant so that I could back the nut off the body of the stuffing box so I could get some penetrating fluid down in there. The rudder is now free. But, rather than just repack the stuffing box, I am also considering dropping the rudder down far enough to change out the rubber hose and clean up the post. I am open to any and all input. 

Image attached of everything before disassembly. 

Best, 

Carter

Rockport, Maine