Stuffing box - does this look right?

[iansan5653]

Hello, first-time inboard owner here trying to figure things out before anything catastrophic happens. So far everything is running great; moved the boat 15 miles the other day without issue.

However, I'm not totally understanding what I'm looking at on my stuffing box. In the attached photo, I've circled specifically what's confusing me. What's the purpose of that black rubber ring? It seems to be totally separate from the rest of the assembly -- is it in the right place or is it supposed to be inside the bigger ring?

(Please ignore the water in the photo; that's freshwater from recent rain as I have some cockpit leaks to fix)

[Turtle Blues]

I'm guessing a spare seal assembly. When the black housing is removed there is a large c clip inside the rear that is removed then the internals can be replaced.

[Nicholson58]

This is not a stuffing box. I believe It is a mechanical drip-less seal. The hose is for cooling the running surfaces. Spent water exits the shaft log. Look for a name brand on it and a data sheet in the literature your PO should have left on board.

Consider owning spare parts. If you service in place sometime be sure to retain the shaft well. It’s possible to loose it out the shaft log.

Turtle Blues could be correct that there is a convenient spare seal set in place.

[wholybee]

Where is all that water under it coming from?

[iansan5653]

Thanks, sounds like it's not raising immediate alarm bells which is relieving; things under the waterline I don't understand definitely make me paranoid. I'll read up on it if I can find a model number.

I'm pretty sure the water is just from recent rain; I have leaks in the cockpit I need to seal.