Rudder hardware failure

[Bill Lopes]

Dear Capri owners:I wanted to post a warning. I recently had the lower pintle shear completely off the rudder of my 1988 Capri 22. We were near rocks and this could have been disastrous. The wind speed was approximately 15 knots, swell 4' and we were on a broad reach. I don't feel as though a failure of this type should have occurred under those conditions. I suggest that anyone owning a boat with a pintle & gudgeon rudder attachment system thoroughly examine it for any sign of stress or failure.I reported this problem to Catalina Yachts.

 

[D. Fox]

capri rudder failure

I believe the pintle is under size for the capri22. Catalina offers two sizes (3/8” and ½”). A ½” pintle is probably the correct size if you study the after-market pintles. A problem with replacement is an after-market part will not fit the existing hole pattern but will overlap causing it to be difficult to retap into the hull backing plate. I had a rudder that was cracking along the forward edge bond line and at the lower pintle attachment (poor quality bond). I wanted to replace the pintle with one that had a larger strap (similar to a J24 pintle) to help spread the load and reduce stress. I ended up reglassing the rudder leading edge, reinforcing the pintle attachment area, and staying with the 3/8” pintle.