rudder movement O'Day 272 LE

[Dream Weaver]

There is so much play in my rudder. The steering arm that it is attached to has lots of play in it. At anchor, the rudder constantly flops around. Very annoying, especially at night. Any solutions for this? I tried putting plastic washers on the attachments to at least soften the noise, but to no avail.

 

[Pat]

And locking the wheel doesn't help? I know, dumb question.....you could also try taking a 1/4 inch line from the
starboard rear cleat a couple times around the tiller, then back to the port rear cleat where you'll then cleat it off.

 

[2taylorscotts]

I'm on my second 272. The "flop" is because years of use wear the pintles and gudgeons so they are no longer round, but egg/oval. For a short fix I used a couple bungee cords to hold the rudder to one side. I later removed the mounts from the transom and had a stainless shop weld sleeves in them. Be sure to get them lined up. That was with a tiller. If you have a wheel, which I now have, the slack may be in the connecting bar (Don't remember the correct name!) and pins. The shop was a LOT cheaper than buying new hardware. That incessant thump-bump-thump at anchor or dock is murder on whoever gets the quarter berth!! Best of luck

 

[StanleyJ]

I have an O'Day 272LE. You probably need to turn the adjusting nuts on the two cables at the actuator unit from inside the boat. I adjusted mine this year and it solved the problem. I pulled the actuator unit out and replaced the outside rubber boot at the same time. I hope that you are small in size because it was miserable trying to fit into the cockpit locker with a hot water heater sharing the space.