Rudder play

[Gary Ross]

I have found that my rudder has 1-2" of vertical movement observed with the boat out of the water. Both the rudder and the shaft move together. I suspect it is the result of a worn bearing. 1. Could the movement be caused by anything else? 2. If it is the bearing, where is it and how does one get it out for replacement?Information will be greatly appreciated.Gary

 

[Doug]

Vertical?

Is that to say the shaft moves up and down? The bearings keep the shaft from moving back and forth and left to right. The vertical clearance is a result of the hole position (assuming you have Edson cable steering)at the uppermost part of the post. The only other issue is the nylon (actually delron) "spacers" or washers that go between the rudder and the hull. That shounds like a horribly bad machining job. Either the hole for the pully should be machined to fit the height of the upper bearing or the other way around.Good luck.Doug ps. we took out our rudder while boat still in her slip. Decided to have Foss Foam build a new one due to pitting and obvious corrossion on the upper post. The lower bearing is delron and is epoxied into hull. Hunter couldn't sell me one or give me the dimensions. Having one made.