O'Day 222 Worn Rudder Pivot

[daleyellin]

In preparation for putting the boat in the water, I looking at the rudder and found a good bit of were in a couple of places. Especially in the pivot bolt area.

I had plates welded to the aluminum side plates to cover enlarged pivot bolt holes. I then redrilled the bolt holes -- that part of the problem is cured.

The pivot hole in the rudder, though, also looks enlarged. The bushing that was going through the rudder is 5/8" OD, however the hole in the rudder is currently 3/4". It doesn't seem logical, but is it possible that the original hole size was 3/4" (The hole for the rudder "hold down" line is 3/4".) My thought is to replace the bushing with a 3/4" OD version. Comments or other ideas.

Here are a couple of pictures of the rudder blade and the current (5/8")

 

[Brian S]

You could probably clean out that large hole in the blade, and then fill with thickened epoxy, then drill out correct diameter hole for your bushing. Some people just drill the thickened epoxy for the actual pivot bolt, and just use the epoxy as the bushing.

Brian

 

[daleyellin]

Brian -- I've decided to go with "rounding" out the now 3/4" pivot hole in the rudder and use a 3/4" OD bushing.

I had small aluminum plates welded over the enlarged "rudder head" holes. Which will work for now. I wish I had seen another "rudder" post where the a plate covering the lower half of the rudder head was placed on both sides of the factory part. I think it provides more strength, and is definately better looking.

All that said, I think that during next winter's layover, I'm going to use epoxy as you recommended. Also, I've made a pattern of the "rudder head" and am thinking of finding a CNC shop that can cut versions from 3/16" or 1/4" aluminum and building a new stronger rudder head. I'm not sure what it might cost, but when I find out I'll post it to see if others are interested in building a new rudder.

I know the boat is 25 yrs old and that it will have wear. However, when I parts with a bit of "wobble" it bothers me and I want to fix them. Maybe it comes from flying -- "wobble" and loose fittings weren't good things.

Dale