Removing the rudder

[vegatern]

I should probably remove the rudder and split it open to inspect
the welds in the framework when I haul out this spring. From
descriptions I've read there is a plastic bearing or "button" in the
rudder shoe that prevents the shaft from wearing on the bronze shoe.
Are replacements available for that bearing,or what would I use to
replace it? Thanks
Craig Tern #1519

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Craig

Bearings for teh rudder shoe available from yours truly (me). Drop me an email at:

steve@...

Cheers

Steve B

 

[wxt8981]

I found out a lot of rudders are damaged when the boat is lifted with the sling and the sling is on the rudder! Make some marks on the boot-stripe where the sling should be. It will prevent a lot of head aches.
Wilhelm, V-257

 

[TJBurkett]

Craig,

I was wondering the same thing. I had to replace my rudder last
spring and when I remounted it I just set the post in the bronze show
as I hadn't notice any kind of bearing when I took the rudder off. I
just took the boat out of the water the other day and will remove the
shoe to see if there is any evidence of wear.

I elected to build a new rudder rather then going to the trouble of
trying to repair the old, although I did use the old shaft but had
several new tangs welded on. I built the rudder out of laminated 3/4
marine ply using the old rudder as a pattern and then covered the
whole thing with epoxy and glass.

I was thinking that graphite impregnated epoxy might be a suitable
bearing - any comments on that?

Tom
-- In AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com, "vegatern" vegatern@... wrote:

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi All

I make the bearings from a material called Vesconite that has just about zero absorbtion in salt water, highly lubricated bearing material, hard wearing.

Cheers

Steve B (steve@...)

 

[vegatern]

Perhaps someone might suggest how much time I might require to
complete this job; remove and split the rudder, perhaps re-weld the
framework and replace the foam, re-join the halves and rehang. I will
do the work myself and was thinking perhaps 3 days. The personnel at
the yard think I should allow 7 to 10 days. I always, always, under
estimate time, but am I really that far out of line? It makes a
difference as to what else I try to get done.

Tom, Is the new rudder you built of plywood much heavier than the
original? Do you think it makes a difference? An option I have
considered is to build a complete new rudder and just switch them out
when I haul, but it seems to be a bit of overkill.

Craig

 

[pjacobs55]

Craig,
I'd be tempted to split and re-build the original. The pictures in
the files section under "How to Build A Vega Rudder" give one a
pretty good idea what you get when you split one open. You could add
a third rib, between the two originals, for extra strength maybe.
Just a thought ...

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Tom

Email address works: steve@...

Rudder Bearing is £12 plus carriage (£2). Payable via Paypal to steve@... or US Dollar cheque payable to I D Webb and posted to me at:

Steve Birch, 3 Cockshot Road, Malvern, Worcs WR14 2TT, UK

Cheers

Steve B

 

[vegatern]

Hi Steve, I will E-mail you about ordering the rudder bearing but
first I should ask if you also have a source for the cast bronze
latches for the cockpit lockers. I am short two and have not found
duplicates here. I have posted a picture of one of them in the photo
section in Tern's portfolio, in case various types were used over the
years. Thanks
Craig

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Craig

Im afraid I do not have a source for the locker lid latches. I have been searching for quite a while and never been able to find a replacement.

Cheers

Steve