Beneteau 361 - replace rudder bearings??

[Ben361_owner]

Hello. I have the following symptoms on my Beneteau Oceanis 361 rudder and need your help. During sailing the wheel rotates freely and is quite light, except of course of the usual whether helm. If I press the boat a lot and for a long time (only during a race), meaning heeling at 20 degrees or more the rudder due to the continues and excessive whether helm gradually becomes very stiff to turn but will take some time, a couple of hours probably always depending how much I have pressed it, to become light again (this is probably unusual). OK I understand that the boat has some limits and this symptom will occur if I pass these limits for a long time. But the question is why stiffness needs time to disappear?
Now the boat is out of the water and if I give the rudder a shake there is probably 3-4mm play from side to side.
What do you think? Is it a problem of rudder bearings that need replacement? Does it sound an urgent project for this winter?
I would like to hear your suggestions.
Thanks

 

[George G]

freezing water

In my previous boat I had to leave the battery on to energize the bilge pump. Unfortunately after a snow storm the snow in the cockpit melted and drained into the bilge. Apparently there was some water in the bilge drain line that didn't melt. The float in the bilge came up and the electricity turned on and the battery gave everything it had but the water couldn't drain past the slug of ice. I suspect even if I were hooked to shore power the pump would have burned out.
George

 

[dclarknpt]

Rudder play

Hi Cap;

I have a 351 and have some play in the rudder.
i spoke to Ward at Benneteau customer service and he sent a file on how the bearing is adjusted. It is a split ring .
Be carefull as the i am told the weight of the rudder is over 100lbs and smashing in on the ground will cause another repair.
hope this Helps

Dave in Newport RI

sorry I can not attach the file???

 

[DClark]

Rudder play part 2

Hi Ben 361;

let me try again with the post from Beneteau.
Dave from Newport