Removing the rudder on cat 27

[jimmy23191]

I am looking at removing my rudder on a 85 cat 27 so that i can get the drive shaft out but i am not sure how much the rudder weighs and if someone has any helpful hints on perhaps some snags that i might encounter. thanks for anyone who can help.

 

[Peter18012]

Rudder

As I recall the rudder is not that heavy (maybe 75lbs?). The normal problem is getting enough air under it to allow it and the shaft to drop all the way out the bottom of the rudder tube without hitting the ground in the boatyard. (You are planning on doing this task in the yard aren't you?) It'll either need to be done while the boat is up in the travellift sling, or you'll need to dig a hole under the rudder to allow it to drop into. When you unbolt the tiller head attachment bolts, it just drops out. And the rudder doesn't float!