Is there an easy well to tell if you have dripless shaft packing kit installed?

[Chexi]

I bought my 2000 SAN used, and I noticed last weekend that the bilge was bone dry when I was done for the day. I normally get water back there from surfing due to my friend's driving habits, but after getting on him about it, he finally learned and did not take any water over the stern when stopping. So, I was surprised when I pulled the plug at the end of the day and had zero water empty from the boat (while inclined). I am worried that the nut or whatever it is is too tight on the shaft and preventing a healthy drip. Due to it being a v-drive, I think it is harder to check on this than my old Air DD, so the first thing I wanted to ask the PN brain was whether there was a telltale sign that a dripless packing kit has been installed. I doubt that it has, but it does not hurt to ask. Thank you.

[core-rider]

Look to see if there is a small hose (3/8" I think) going to the packing from he raw water hose. If so you have a dripless packing gland. If not, might want to check the packing. Being a 2000 model, I would be surprised if it had a dripless, unless it was installed aftermarket.

[Michael Richter]

Another Quick way is if you have a flush kit on the boat, run the boat on the trailer on the hose. Look under the Boat and if water is peeing out of the hole where the shaft comes through the bottom of the boat you have dripless. If you get a chance to see under the Vdrive at the shaft inside the boat, there will be a 3-4" Stainless collar against a 5-6" long accordion boot. The 3/8" hose will go onto a nipple on this accordion boot. If not it will just be a big nut just like old boat!

[Chexi]

Thank you.