Good job and as you found The packing should be tightened when in the water.
Years ago on my previous boat, before I learned about these darn things, I was coached into using a piece of rope, COTTON, and melted candle wax to soak the rope in when the existing stuff failed and I didn't have extra. It worked as long as I went slow. I learned how to do it properly and always have lots of extra packing now.
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