Rudder Shaft Packing Wrench Size

[SteveM]

Does anyone know the size of the two nuts on a stock rudder packing gland?

My boat is in the islands; I'm in the USA and I'd like to bring back a set of shaft packing wrenches.
See link: http://yorkdesignandfab.com/1-7-8-shaft ... 1-1-2.aspx

I can purchase two of the correct size, for less than this 5 pack set. I could be thorough and buy the set and be done...but I know it will drive me crazy once I'm there and I have three wrenches that I'll never use.

If I were to guess the nuts are 2.25" and 2.5". But, I could be wrong...

[Yannis]

I’m in metric so not of much help, but I can tell you they’re biiiig. So big, I had to go to the one store that carries as big spanners and still had to grind it to widen it a bit.
Of course, next time that my mechanic was there, I proposed my super tool and he just ignored me, he produced this huge plumber’s thing with the turning knob and he did the job just fine.
So, perhaps get yourself a plumber’s crab (we call it) instead of a dedicated tool. It might be of use for your through hulls which are also huge.

[SteveM]

Yannis, I've got a pipe wrench. However, the space under the box is extremely limited.

[Donmystic1]

I use a big adjustable wrench or a pipe wrench.

[bob lico]

called a plumbers "BASIN WRENCH" perfect fit can be used any angle up to a right angle 90 degrees

[Yannis]

Yes guys, I knew there was a word for it, pipe wrench or basin wrench or...but this word didn’t come in handy at the right time...
Steve, youre saying no room, can you perhaps envisage cutting off a bit of the handle?

[EarleyBird]

Try Channel Locks, size 440 or possibly 420’s. Mine have a lock nut. If you are repacking them, a useful tip....make sure the packing ends are staggered 180 degrees and coat with a lubricant,grease or anti-seize. Believe 1/4” packing works and 4 or 5 turns will fill the packing gland. Good Luck.