My 28' Newport 1978 has a bit of play in the tiller. I can feel a flutter in a strong current. not sure if it's the tiller or rudder, is there a way to check? I have tightend up the tiller as much as I can. Any advise would be helpful, thanks
a little play in tiller
- Thread starter Huminbird
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Assuming this is your boat: http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=1155
Many builders use a keyway to secure the tiller head to the rudder shaft. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyway_(engineering)
On our boat the metal key that fits into the keyway had degraded/rusted/oxidized and allowed a significant amount of play.
To check this you need to remove the tiller head. Since your boat has a spade rudder I'd make sure that something besides the tiller head is keeping the rudder shaft in the boat before you take the tiller head off for inspection.
You can buy new keyway stock from McMaster-Carr or a decent local machine shop can make you one.
Many builders use a keyway to secure the tiller head to the rudder shaft. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyway_(engineering)
On our boat the metal key that fits into the keyway had degraded/rusted/oxidized and allowed a significant amount of play.
To check this you need to remove the tiller head. Since your boat has a spade rudder I'd make sure that something besides the tiller head is keeping the rudder shaft in the boat before you take the tiller head off for inspection.
You can buy new keyway stock from McMaster-Carr or a decent local machine shop can make you one.
any local hardware store will carry keystock if you need it.
if you can feel a flutter or shudder in the tiller while sailing but no noticable slack, it could be the lower rudder bushing is getting worn.... and letting the rudder vibrate when it comes against a small change in the current flow past it... not enough to be seen from the topside, but enough to feel.... maybe a bit of lube would help if they're greasable bushings and not completely shot...
if you can feel a flutter or shudder in the tiller while sailing but no noticable slack, it could be the lower rudder bushing is getting worn.... and letting the rudder vibrate when it comes against a small change in the current flow past it... not enough to be seen from the topside, but enough to feel.... maybe a bit of lube would help if they're greasable bushings and not completely shot...
thanks for the prompt replies and the links, we'll check the keyway + bushings this spring as soon as we can get at the boat.
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