Hi There !
I have a 1989 Catalina 22 Wing Keel with a 5 year old Rudder Craft Rudder system. The RC rudder gave my boat power steering andI love that about it.
When My boat comes out of the water it get's a complete inspection.
Here is what I've learned in the past 5 years though.
1) PROBLEM ; The Pintles are not very well engineered. The welding between the Pin and the L bracket cracks due to poor design. The last inspection a few day's ago found the 2nd cracked pintle.
I called RC and alerted them to the issue.They remembered having the same discussion a year ago. The shop never did anything to correct the issue.
At first I was told I would have to pay for a new part but when I told them it was still within the 6 year warranty they said they would send me one for free.
SOLUTION ; Inspect Pintles every 6 months
2) PROBLEM : They supply a small cotter pin that slips into a slot in the base of pin but if the cotter pin fall out it's lost.
SOLUTION : I created a lanyard to keep from loosing the cotter pin.
3)The Mast crutch.They make slide up to extend it for stepping the mast. Their design uses thin walled diameter round tube that slides up and down into a larger square tube.
PROBLEM : Once you have the crutch extended up it becomes very weak. If you roll your mast back and forth while stepping it bends the round tube so it won't slide back down.
SOLUTION : I make tie downs that go down from the top of the crutch and out at an angle and tie around the stern pulpit. Like baby stays.
All and all I still really like the system
I have a 1989 Catalina 22 Wing Keel with a 5 year old Rudder Craft Rudder system. The RC rudder gave my boat power steering andI love that about it.
When My boat comes out of the water it get's a complete inspection.
Here is what I've learned in the past 5 years though.
1) PROBLEM ; The Pintles are not very well engineered. The welding between the Pin and the L bracket cracks due to poor design. The last inspection a few day's ago found the 2nd cracked pintle.
I called RC and alerted them to the issue.They remembered having the same discussion a year ago. The shop never did anything to correct the issue.
At first I was told I would have to pay for a new part but when I told them it was still within the 6 year warranty they said they would send me one for free.
SOLUTION ; Inspect Pintles every 6 months
2) PROBLEM : They supply a small cotter pin that slips into a slot in the base of pin but if the cotter pin fall out it's lost.
SOLUTION : I created a lanyard to keep from loosing the cotter pin.
3)The Mast crutch.They make slide up to extend it for stepping the mast. Their design uses thin walled diameter round tube that slides up and down into a larger square tube.
PROBLEM : Once you have the crutch extended up it becomes very weak. If you roll your mast back and forth while stepping it bends the round tube so it won't slide back down.
SOLUTION : I make tie downs that go down from the top of the crutch and out at an angle and tie around the stern pulpit. Like baby stays.
All and all I still really like the system
