I have a '79 Catalina 30 and the rudder appears to be loose. Are there rudder bearings that can be replaced?
Catalina 30 Rudder Bearings
- Thread starter steve22062
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The tube is the rudder bearing. If there is slop in the system, the tube is worn. The West System manual has a good repair procedure. It involves casting epoxy/graphite bearings onside the rudder tube. I did mine a couple of years ago and the rudder is perfect, less play than a new boat.
The tube is the rudder bearing. If there is slop in the system, the tube is worn. The West System manual has a good repair procedure. It involves casting epoxy/graphite bearings onside the rudder tube. I did mine a couple of years ago and the rudder is perfect, less play than a new boat.
Rudder bearing
There's a packing gland in there, too. Here's a picture: http://www.c34.org/faq-pages/techdata-rudder-packing-gland.html Also, Catalina Direct sells the packing gland, which should not need to be replaced, but you can see a real picture of it instead of a drawing. From your description, it's hard to tell what you mean by "my rudder is loose." If there's slop steering, then look at the cables first. If it wiggles back and forth when you shake it when out of the water, then check the packing gland.
There's a packing gland in there, too. Here's a picture: http://www.c34.org/faq-pages/techdata-rudder-packing-gland.html Also, Catalina Direct sells the packing gland, which should not need to be replaced, but you can see a real picture of it instead of a drawing. From your description, it's hard to tell what you mean by "my rudder is loose." If there's slop steering, then look at the cables first. If it wiggles back and forth when you shake it when out of the water, then check the packing gland.
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Call Catalina, they will send you 2 ways to fix rudder slop. One is involved, pull the rudder out, full tube with epoxy. The other is simple and it's the one I used (per Catalina's instructions). I cut a couple of shims using vellum. One source of vellum is the clear plastic sheets you use on the copy machine to do overhead presentations. Cut a couple of shims, remove the tiller cap and insert. I shot some super lube in there once in a while. I did this "fix" about 5 years ago and it's kept things tight. Also if your steer cables are lose, you may want to tighten them, this also takes some slop out of the rubber. Like I said, call Catalina, they should fax you the instructions.
Call Catalina, they will send you 2 ways to fix rudder slop. One is involved, pull the rudder out, full tube with epoxy. The other is simple and it's the one I used (per Catalina's instructions). I cut a couple of shims using vellum. One source of vellum is the clear plastic sheets you use on the copy machine to do overhead presentations. Cut a couple of shims, remove the tiller cap and insert. I shot some super lube in there once in a while. I did this "fix" about 5 years ago and it's kept things tight. Also if your steer cables are lose, you may want to tighten them, this also takes some slop out of the rubber. Like I said, call Catalina, they should fax you the instructions.
Tiller
I have a tiller rather than wheel steering. The rudder is loose at the top where the ruddder stock exits the hull. I have taken care of the looseness at the top.
I have a tiller rather than wheel steering. The rudder is loose at the top where the ruddder stock exits the hull. I have taken care of the looseness at the top.
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