removing rudder on cat 27

[Antonio Maccagnan]

I bent the rudder post on my '76 cat 26.with the boat in the water, I removed the tiller mounting and the two bolts on the post and still the rudder wont come out.I even hammered it down but to no effect.I'm wondering if there's something else securing the rudder post or if it's just stuck.

 

[Augie Byllott]

Removing the rudder on a Cat

I don't know how it is with a '76 27' but on my '78 30' the rudder stock "floats" in a fiberglass tube without any bearings. The rudder is buoyant so that removing it while the boat is in the water would be a problem.I had occasion to remove the rudder while the boat was on the hard on jack stands. I removed the "cap" while the rudder was supported and lowered it to the ground. There was insufficient clearance so I raised the rudder and dug a hole about a foot deep. The rudder was again lowered. This time it came free.

 

[Antonio Maccagnan]

rudder's out

hey,the rudder is out, I used a big mallet to get it down a bit tand then a long pipe.Mine has a bronze tube inside which makes it easier.As you say it floats, so I had to dive and pull it out from underneath the boat for the last 12 inches.It can be done though.Now the rudder is out and a had to straighten it, it doesnt look too bad, I'll let you know how it worked out.