Rudder shaft movement

[cam]

I have recently hauled my 2005 Catalina 310 and noticed slight movement in the rudder shaft. Does this model have rudder bearings or some sought of packing which can be tightened without lifting the yacht. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Could you give a more detailed description of the movement? Are you grabbing the bottom of the rudder and pulling it to port or starboard? How much is it moving? Have you inspected the gap at the top of the rudder between the hull? Any signs of a grounding that could have bent this area?

Sorry to hit you with so many questions but more info is needed to figure out the issue.

I have attached a diagram of the rudder post system from the C42. It is very similar to ours so that you can get an idea of what the system is like.

Also, do you have one of these hammers? Part of my routine rudder inspection on a haul out is to tap the rudder and look for sounds/signs of delamination.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

 

[Albanach]

"Rudder shaft movement

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I have recently hauled my 2005 Catalina 310 and noticed slight movement in the rudder shaft. Does this model have rudder bearings or some sought of packing which can be tightened without lifting the yacht. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you. "

Try these options:
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=718533&highlight=rudder

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1091692&highlight=rudder

 

[cam]

I have recently hauled my 2005 Catalina 310 and noticed slight movement in the rudder shaft. Does this model have rudder bearings or some sought of packing which can be tightened without lifting the yacht. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

Thanks Jesse, I have only slight lateral movement which at this time is not of great concern to me. This is research so that when the time comes to replace the bearings I will be better informed. Have since found out from another respondant to my enquiry that the C310 rudder set up is different to that of the C445.

thank again
Cam

 

[cam]

"Rudder shaft movement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have recently hauled my 2005 Catalina 310 and noticed slight movement in the rudder shaft. Does this model have rudder bearings or some sought of packing which can be tightened without lifting the yacht. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you. "

Try these options:
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=718533&highlight=rudder

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1091692&highlight=rudder

Thanks Albanach for those sites, they have been most helpful

Cam

 

[Tom J]

I have recently hauled my 2005 Catalina 310 and noticed slight movement in the rudder shaft. Does this model have rudder bearings or some sought of packing which can be tightened without lifting the yacht. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

I had the same issue at the end of the 2013 season. Before launching in 2014, I checked the rudder seal and found all the bolts were loose. I tightened them up a bit, just so there was no movement in the bolts, and the rudder has been fine since.

 

[cam]

I had the same issue at the end of the 2013 season. Before launching in 2014, I checked the rudder seal and found all the bolts were loose. I tightened them up a bit, just so there was no movement in the bolts, and the rudder has been fine since.

Thanks for that Tom I may try the same thing

Cam

 

[Tom J]

I should have mentioned, Cam, that the rudder shaft seal can be adjusted with the boat in the water. It is located just under the steering quadrant. It's not hard to get to. Just open the access panel in the aft cabin to the steering compartment and slide in. I like to put a boat cushion on the sill of the opening to make myself more comfortable. The seal is a plastic collar with several 1/4" bolts around it's circumference. It doesn't need to be very tight. A small adjustment is usually sufficient.

 

[cam]

Rudder shaft mo0vement

I should have mentioned, Cam, that the rudder shaft seal can be adjusted with the boat in the water. It is located just under the steering quadrant. It's not hard to get to. Just open the access panel in the aft cabin to the steering compartment and slide in. I like to put a boat cushion on the sill of the opening to make myself more comfortable. The seal is a plastic collar with several 1/4" bolts around it's circumference. It doesn't need to be very tight. A small adjustment is usually sufficient.

Thanks Tom