Replacing tiller washers on the hard

[Jeff2650]

Hello all, anyone willing to respond with any advice on how to replace tiller washer(s) while my boat is on the hard in a few weeks would be appreciated. I have a 26ft Catalina Capri and being that she is just 30 years old, I've decided to replace the upper washer and lower and would benefit from someone else that has done a similar replacement.
Step: loosening attachment bolts in the cockpit and dropping, replacing and reapplying the rudder would be helpful. The rudder does have some play and I'm concerned the original washers would have started to fail or maybe already have, but the rudder tube through the aft cabin sole looks to be intact. Kind of a preventative maintenance thing.
thanks

 

[thinwater]

Google "rudder shaft bushing," not a tiller washer. Totally different. That may help.

 

[dlochner]

Removing a rudder is a pretty straight forward operation. To begin, measure the distance from the hull to the top of the rudder shaft. Then measure the distance between the bottom of the rudder to the ground. If the rudder-ground distance is less than the hull-top or rudder shaft, then the boat either needs to be raised or a hole needs to be dug deep enough to to allow the rudder to be removed.

There are many ways to install rudder bearings or bushings. Once the rudder is out, take some photos so folks here on line can be of greater help.

 

[Jeff2650]

Great clarity and advice... thanks for the responses. Bushings and raising the boat/digging a hole.