Install rudder in the water?
- Thread starter rblevens
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It can be done but be careful...
It can be done with the boat in the water. Dropping the rudder should not be a big problem. You may wish to tie a line looped underneath the bottom of the rudder and fastened to the stern cleats for use in controlling how fast it drops. In theory it may be positively buoyant or neutral, but this is not always the case, so having the safety line might give you an extra measure of control.
For reinstalling, make sure that the individual(s) in the water who are re-inserting the rudder guide the rudder post straight up the fiberglass rudder tube. If the stainless rudder post is only slightly inside the rudder tube and the diver(s) jerk the rudder back and forth sideways they may have sufficient leverage to do damage to the attachment between the rudder tube and the hull. That's why it's my preference to do this job on the hard, where the rudder post is easily guided straight into the tube. But if you exercise sufficient care it can be done in the water.
It can be done with the boat in the water. Dropping the rudder should not be a big problem. You may wish to tie a line looped underneath the bottom of the rudder and fastened to the stern cleats for use in controlling how fast it drops. In theory it may be positively buoyant or neutral, but this is not always the case, so having the safety line might give you an extra measure of control.
For reinstalling, make sure that the individual(s) in the water who are re-inserting the rudder guide the rudder post straight up the fiberglass rudder tube. If the stainless rudder post is only slightly inside the rudder tube and the diver(s) jerk the rudder back and forth sideways they may have sufficient leverage to do damage to the attachment between the rudder tube and the hull. That's why it's my preference to do this job on the hard, where the rudder post is easily guided straight into the tube. But if you exercise sufficient care it can be done in the water.
wow, the 37's rudder is way aft of the 33's. on my 33' it is directly under your feet as you stand at the wheel.
Most rudders are very buoyant. However, before your diver removes it, he should check to see whether or not it's gonna wanna go straight to the bottom and have adequate line available to secure it if it is negatively buoyant.
It is often the case that larger buoyant rudders must be ballasted so that they are manageable underwater during the reinstallation. I sling a bucket of dive weights under the rudder and fashion a rope harness to keep the rudder vertical in these instances.
The top of the rudderstock should have a pin where the emergency tiller engages. Drop a weighted line down the rudder tube and then tie to that pin. Then you can also pull straight up from inside the boat. My old rudder would sink like a rock. The rebuilt rudder will float and be difficult to get under the boat.
I removed and re-installed the rudder on Midnight Sun when I was a LOT younger. I remember having to weigh it down with two anchors, chain, and a divers weight belt. Even with that I had to stand inverted underwater with my feet on the hull. Even with all that I think it was easier than digging a hole for the rudder to be dropped into while the boat is on the hard. The only other way is to find a very friendly yard that won't mind hanging your boat in the travel lift for an afternoon. When my rudder was replaced a couple of years ago after the container incident, The yard did just that. It was still disconcerting to see the boat that high in the air. Ed, I don't have a pin in my rudder stock, just a piece of flat plate welded vertically that fit the notch in the emergency tiller.
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