Loose Rudder on 38 - 200

[Albert Murphy]

My surveyor told me it it normal to have some play in the rudder shaft which results in a slight "clunk" sound in heavy seas. When out of the water, hauling on the rudder with considerable force does produce a clunking sound and some slight play. Does this mean it's time to remove and add a new bushing or sleeve or can I ignore the occasional "clunk" from the rudder shaft?

 

[Eric]

loose rudder

I don't see an owners manual for the 38-200 on Ericsonyachts.org; just some brochures. If you don't already have one it would probably be a good idea to pick one up. My E28 manual describes the loose rubber as normal shaft play wear over the years; it suggests removing the rudder and inserting teflon shims. As an alternative it suggests an epoxy injection from Geougeon Bros using west system epoxy. Hope this helps. Eric

 

[Eddie]

My rudder

When I bought my Ericson 32 my surveyor pointed out that there was excessive play in the rudder shaft and suggested I have teflon shims installed. Later after I hauled it out and asked the boatyard to put in the shims along with other items. The boatyard pointed out that the play seemed normal to them and that it was actually less than some new boats that they had prepared for maiden launches. I think that the surveyors overstate some things in an effort to be thorough. I suggest that you use the survey as a guideline more than a "must do".

 

[Ted]

Shimming

I used 6" wide Bronze Shim stock from McMaster Carr. I had .125" of play and shimmed with .05" stock taking the play down to .025" Getting the shim stock in was a little tough by myself but I got it in and the rudder is very smooth now. No clunking. The upper bearing did not need any shimming. Remove your rudder. Measure with a caliper the diameter of the shaft at the bearing surfaces, measure the bearing diameters there as well and then buy appropriate shim stock. You can also try removing the factory bronze bushing and replace it with a delrin bearing but that will be much more involved and expensive.

 

[TStone]

Rudder Play

I'm not sure whether the graphite/west systems epoxy injection method (described in the West systems project book sold at West Marine) is approproate for the E-38-200 rudder tube due to the construction and existing bushing configuration, but I did it on my old Cal 27 and it worked like a dream. The rudder had no play, turned very smoothly, and I suspect the fix will last for many years.

 

[Albert]

Owner's manual 38-200

Some great suggestions, thanks.Also, I'd love to buy an owner's manual for the 38-200 if one exhists. Any ideas?