My Rudder Post has some vertical Play in my 1976 Ericson 29 Tall rig. Any one have any ideas or experience with what is the cause or the repair and what it entails. Or better yet do I even have to worry about it at all?
Loose Rudder Post
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You should have a washer-like spacer that slides over the rudder post and rests between the top of your rudder and the entry point of the hull. They're usually a plastic (therefore they tend to wear over time and break off). Look around the boat yard and you will see examples. The purpose (to my knowledge) is to keep the rudder from slamming against the hull which could create a variety of problems. Note: if you make/install one yourself, you need to be sure that you don't get it to big, or thick. The spacer should not impede turning radius (My first attempt proved this out). And yes, you have to drop the rudder to do this, so it's a two person job.
Cleveland,
any suggestions on how to drop the rudder and about what I can expect. Any cans of worms that will open up and jump out at me that will make this a much bigger job then I need right now? What about barings or other supports that might be worn and not available ? About how long a job is this?
any suggestions on how to drop the rudder and about what I can expect. Any cans of worms that will open up and jump out at me that will make this a much bigger job then I need right now? What about barings or other supports that might be worn and not available ? About how long a job is this?
Steven685, In short, I found it a pain in the ... Primarily because there's so little room to work. My advice, if you're in a yard and don't mind spending a few bucks, pay the man. If you're the DIY-type, in theory it's probably an hour-ish job with two folks. I will not tell you how long it took me. (I have a wheel, therefore the mechanisms with that require you to know how it comes apart so alignment is easier.) If you're a tiller, it's probably much easier... but that I've not seen.
Find a small adult, be sure to put some blocks under the rudder to relieve pressure as you unbolt, and pay close attention to how things come apart. BTW, I was down at my boat today, my spacer is probably no more than 1/8" thick and barely larger diameter hole than the shaft. Hope that helps. Good luck.
DAS
Find a small adult, be sure to put some blocks under the rudder to relieve pressure as you unbolt, and pay close attention to how things come apart. BTW, I was down at my boat today, my spacer is probably no more than 1/8" thick and barely larger diameter hole than the shaft. Hope that helps. Good luck.
DAS
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