pedestal steering

[cloudnine]

Has anyone had a problem with the fiberglass near the rudder post holding the stops for the steering on a 1985 28.5. This boat was just purchased used. The fiberglass is broken and it allows the stops to move and lets the cable ride up over the sprocket and the chain jumps the sprocket. Does anyone know how I can fix this problem.

 

[Captain Dave]

Reinforce

I've got an 88 Legend 35 with the same problem. I had the Boat in Charter for a couple of years before I personally took it over, one of the reasons being 2 years in a row, the chain came off the sprocket. They also bent my steel emergency tiller. Didn't know about the Rudder Stop problem until I was getting ready to put the Boat in this year,and was looking for water leaks. On mine, the backing plate behind the stop plate is plywood. Found that out by removing some of the fiblerglass on the backside where the nuts are secured. I dried it out the best I could,and installed a larger backing plate on the backside,made of aluminum. On the rudder stop side, I repaired the fiberglas and reinstalled the Stop. Can't tell anything was ever wrong now.

 

[ohpoppy]

yes i repaired it

Although mine didn't break I notices that there were un fiberglassed areas that allowed too much movement and could have led to a break. I glassed over all supports and now it is very strong. It was quite easy since there is easy access from above which is limited on newer 28.5's. Make sure you use a laminating resin..not the stuff sold at walmart or advance,etc. NO WAX in this stuff. The cloth can be purchased anywhere..woven I prefer. Bob