new ower 27

[BradS]

New boat owner. Just picked up a 76 Oday 27. A few questions: I note the rudder has a lot of play, is there a bearing on the top end that can be tightened or replaced? Does the rudder have to be supported before taking this apart? Also I note when under motor power there is a god bite of resistance or pushback on the rudder, I have to support it with my leg. I don’t have that under sail.Thanks

 

[BradS]

so I can't type

new owner. so I can't typeeeee

 

[Phil]

Rudder play

The rudder is only supported by the bolt through the shaft of the tiller base fitting. My rudder had some play. The top piece that is bolted through the deck at the top of the rudder tube is the upper bearing. This and the glass at the top hold the shaft. The lower portion appeared to me to be just the glass tube for side to side support. There are some thrust washers that act as the lower bearing. When I pulled my boat last year, I did build up with epoxy the upper and lower portions of the tube to give more support and less play to the rudder. It only took a small amount. Then I used a rotary drum sanders to smooth it out.As far as the tiller pressure while under power, this is from prop walk. You usually have to keep a little right rudder on to keep the boat from turning to port while under power. Prop walk makes the stern go to starboard while going ahead and walk to port when going aft. This is a natural tendency and can be reduced with a different prop but I find prop walk can be quite useful when maneuvering in tight spaces.