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Chris Craft Catalina 381 stuffing box

Discussion in 'Chris Craft Connies, Commanders & Catalinas' started by ZXJockey, Jan 29, 2021.

  1. ZXJockey

    ZXJockey New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2019
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    Albany-ish
    Greetings, long time lurker, but now it's time to post!

    I've picked up a 1981 Catalina 381. I've spent some time already getting to know everything, but a few things escape me. The port side stuffing box is somewhat easily accessible below the aft cabin locker, but the starboard stuffing box doesn't seem to have had access figured in for it, or a previous owner planked over it. Has anyone here worked their starboard stuffing box, and how did you reach it? Was there originally a hatch?
  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    11,205
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Rudder posts are often in very cramped quarters but there has to be access. Sure there could be a plank over the access especially if it's inside a cabinet, but it shouldn't be secured. Or it could be accessed below the bunk or a hatch in the floor (which could be covered by carpet).
  3. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    Messages:
    1,648
    Location:
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    There has to be an opening. Could be under a bed, rug, closet..etc. Chris-Craft put an access opening some where. It would be an obvious patch job if a pervious owner covered it up. Keep looking. Take a rough measurement of the port side location and measure the starboard side of the boat and look for the opening/patch job.

    Then again C-C may have figured you can get to that one from the bilge. Even though it may be a tight squeeze..... so yes there may be no hatch opening.