Morning, couple of questions on the Beneteau First 47.7 (racing rig). Can you drop the rudder whilst the boat is on its cradle or do you need a lift or even maybe do you dig a small hole (if so roughly how deep). I have a screeching noise when turning the wheel (very stiff to turn). I'm guessing this is likely to be the bottom bearing - self aligning rudder bearing.....Can anyone give me any advice on this? Much obliged - Angus
Beneteau First 47.7 - Rudder bearing
- Thread starter Goldenfox
- Start date
I don’t know whether you can get the rudder all the way down. It depends on your cradle.
When my 323 is on its cradle by itself, there is probably not enough clearance. However, when the yard puts my boat into storage, the cradle sits on 12x12 blocking, and that looks like there may be clearance.
Try to get a close measurement of the distance between the cockpit floor and the bottom of the hull, then measure from the bottom of the rudder to the ground, if the distance to the ground is greater, you are probably good to go. If not, the difference in distance is equal to the minimum hole depth you will need.
When my 323 is on its cradle by itself, there is probably not enough clearance. However, when the yard puts my boat into storage, the cradle sits on 12x12 blocking, and that looks like there may be clearance.
Try to get a close measurement of the distance between the cockpit floor and the bottom of the hull, then measure from the bottom of the rudder to the ground, if the distance to the ground is greater, you are probably good to go. If not, the difference in distance is equal to the minimum hole depth you will need.
On our First 36.7 we had to have the yards lift the boat in slings. And did the job all in one go. I’m glad I had pros do it. They have joints in their arms that I don’t possess. The new Jefa bearing is very slick.
Mine is out now had to dig down about 6 inches, did my buddies first375 about the same 6 inches just build it up with wood to block it ,then knock the pins out loosen clamp bolts and lower down (need 2 guys ) mine was composite shaft, my buddies 375 was solid stainless and heavy.
There are two versions of the First 47.7; respectively with draught 7' 58" and 9' 16".
Rudder draught is app. 7', to remove the rudder you have to add the length of the rudder stock to the rudder draught minus the height the central beam of the cradle where the keel rests, in order to know how deep you must dig.
I doubt if there is any cradle stable enough to make the job possible.
So just dig quite a deep hole or follow Jackdaw's solution, take your pick.
Rudder draught is app. 7', to remove the rudder you have to add the length of the rudder stock to the rudder draught minus the height the central beam of the cradle where the keel rests, in order to know how deep you must dig.
I doubt if there is any cradle stable enough to make the job possible.
So just dig quite a deep hole or follow Jackdaw's solution, take your pick.