Hi there, I have a Catalina 30. It looks like I have a leak around the rudder post in the cockpit right under the emergency tiller attachment. Also the rudder post has slop in it here, it can be lifted 2-3 inches up horizontally so that does not help. Does anyone know the basic principle for how water is supposed to be prevented from going down the post? Is it a gasket or is the emergency tiller cap supposed to sit on top of the ridge in the fiberglass and let the water flow over it and around? It is a little hard to figure out! Endre
Leak through rudder post from cockpit
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Leak
I have a ’78 Catalina and the rudder post would leak whenever it rained. The issue was that the rear lazarette cover had a groove that is fit into when the hatch was closed – this groove would circle around and come together at the rudder-post. Rainwater would funnel down from the entire aft bench area and drain down through the grooves where the hatch would fit into when closed and then these grooves would channel around to the rudder post where they would drain into the cockpit scupper drains. It was like a big funnel whenever it rained….the original seal around the rudder post was non existent and any attempts to seal with silicon or any other type of sealant would just not hold up as the entire assembly turns with the rudder. There is a white nylon rind around the post that I would put sealant under. Here is the fix: you need to creatively build a diverter to channel the rainwater away from the rudderpost. I used 2 small pieces of aluminum angle- line to (cut about ¾” long) and secured them in the groove-channel just before the rudder post. Also cut out a plastic milk container piece that securely fit around the back of the post (the curvature) as well to further divert any water – overkill but it was easy to do and I thought at least one might not work or fail. Finally I used Butyl tape to seal the nylon washer around the rudder post. Everything underneath has been bone-dry for the past 3 years. Let me know if I was clear enough on my explanation. I am not sure if you have the same setup but if you do this is how you fix it. Rob
I have a ’78 Catalina and the rudder post would leak whenever it rained. The issue was that the rear lazarette cover had a groove that is fit into when the hatch was closed – this groove would circle around and come together at the rudder-post. Rainwater would funnel down from the entire aft bench area and drain down through the grooves where the hatch would fit into when closed and then these grooves would channel around to the rudder post where they would drain into the cockpit scupper drains. It was like a big funnel whenever it rained….the original seal around the rudder post was non existent and any attempts to seal with silicon or any other type of sealant would just not hold up as the entire assembly turns with the rudder. There is a white nylon rind around the post that I would put sealant under. Here is the fix: you need to creatively build a diverter to channel the rainwater away from the rudderpost. I used 2 small pieces of aluminum angle- line to (cut about ¾” long) and secured them in the groove-channel just before the rudder post. Also cut out a plastic milk container piece that securely fit around the back of the post (the curvature) as well to further divert any water – overkill but it was easy to do and I thought at least one might not work or fail. Finally I used Butyl tape to seal the nylon washer around the rudder post. Everything underneath has been bone-dry for the past 3 years. Let me know if I was clear enough on my explanation. I am not sure if you have the same setup but if you do this is how you fix it. Rob
Rob thanks for the Info
That is what I thought was happing. Water running around the lazarette cover and in to the ruder post. Could it be that the Nylon Washer is so old that its not doing the job any more or is the fiberglass around the post worn down so that it needs to be rebilt? Has anyone else fixed this or do you let the bilge pump do the work. greg
That is what I thought was happing. Water running around the lazarette cover and in to the ruder post. Could it be that the Nylon Washer is so old that its not doing the job any more or is the fiberglass around the post worn down so that it needs to be rebilt? Has anyone else fixed this or do you let the bilge pump do the work. greg
now that I think about this I think that the nylon
Now that I think about this. I think that the nylon ring under the tiller must be worn to the point that there isn't enough downward presser to make a seal and keep the water out and a new nylon ring may do the trick. greg
Now that I think about this. I think that the nylon ring under the tiller must be worn to the point that there isn't enough downward presser to make a seal and keep the water out and a new nylon ring may do the trick. greg
Nylon ring
It does look like the nylon ring is extremely worn and enlarged too. I will try to change that and see what happens. Is this a catalina part or can i get it at any boating store? Thanks for all the tips!
It does look like the nylon ring is extremely worn and enlarged too. I will try to change that and see what happens. Is this a catalina part or can i get it at any boating store? Thanks for all the tips!
R
Russ
Rudder Leak
Rob, I have the same problem with my 1989 30 Catalina. Sometimes that little drain hole in back of the rudder post gets clogged. I've cleaned this out several times, this seems to help. But, I also think the rudder post is part of the problem. Is it possible to put butyl tape underneath without removing the rudder. Thanks, Russ
Rob, I have the same problem with my 1989 30 Catalina. Sometimes that little drain hole in back of the rudder post gets clogged. I've cleaned this out several times, this seems to help. But, I also think the rudder post is part of the problem. Is it possible to put butyl tape underneath without removing the rudder. Thanks, Russ
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