Installing Rudder Stops/ Drilling thru Cockpit

[Tom]

The Edson pedestal steering I have was installed by a time-conscious soul who did not install the rudder stop. I bought the stop, which attaches to the radial drive wheel and sticks up an inch or so and is intended to bump into blocks of wood - perhaps pieces of mahogany - that are fixed to the cockpit floor. I think I can guess my way to the correct place to drill holes in the cockpit floor and insert bolts down through the pieces of wood to hold them in place.It all seems so simple that I am quite confident that I'm missing the obvious. I plan to insert the bolts with perhaps some sort of silicone seal in the hole, and then epoxy over the bolt heads on top, in an attempt to make a watertight seal.Any suggestions?Thanks

 

[Gord May]

Installing Stop Blocks

Predrill (slightly smaller dia. than fastener) the stop-block, then epoxy it to the underside of the cockpit sole. Drill small hole UP thru’ block & sole. Redrill, to final size, down thru’ sole & block. Coat bilt /w sealant*, and insert.* Sealants: Use either polyurethane (5200, etc.), hybrid (Life Caulk) or epoxy.If polyurethane sealant, snug fastener up (/w not), allow at least 48 hours to set, only then final tighten.If epoxy sealant, you can tighten immediately.Don’t use silicone sealant (NOTHING sticks to it).

 

[AXEL]

Besure....

I had installed homemade rudder stops on my C30 last year. I ended up taking them off. The reason I put them on was because I had just installed a Raymarine ST4000 Auto Pilot with the rudder sensor. It was important that the rudder sensor did not over steer or the linkage could be damaged. What I found out was that if the rudder stops weren't set exactly right you could lose a good amount of your turning radius. I'm in a tight canal and I have to make a U turn to dock. Also don't underestimate the force of the wheel against the rudder stops. You will break or bend hardware like its butter.

 

[Richard]

Our rudder stop block is epoxied...

...to the underside of the cockpit. No bolts or holes through the floor of the cockpit. It's been there over 10 years; 40 inch wheel on a 33 foot boat.

 

[Alex]

Tip for line up the hole on top

Tom,Just a handy tip:Get a strong enough magnet and tape it to the underside where you want the stopper to be and put a small metal washer on the top side. You can align where you want to drill very accurately. I used that technique to install a thru-hull without the inaccuracy of a tape measure.Good luck.