Rudder Bearing
Hello, I read in the archives that pvc will cause your rudder to seize in the shaft. I dont know, however, there's also a nifty solution to your problem. Epoxy and graphite powder. First, make sure your rudder post is free of ridges. by rudder post I mean the aluminum shaft that protudes from the rudder and connects to the tiller. Next, center rudder post in the shaft "sleave" or whatever the technical term is for the tube that the rudder post throughhulls. "Pack" the bottom of the tube around the rudder post (to prevent your epoxygraphite "slurry" from seeping out the bottom. Caulk rope should do, an extruded foam "rope" available at your hardware store. be careful to maintain "center" in the rudder post tube. Fill tube around rudder post with your graphiteepoxy mixture and allow to "cure". Once cured, attach tiller and give a sharp pull to one side, this will break the seal on the rudder post giving you a full tube length graphite impregnated bearing surface that will leave you grinning each time you put hand to tiller. Oh, I might brush a thin layer of melted petroleum jelly on the rudder post and dust it liberally with graphite powder, "before" I poured the "slurry". hope this helps Clay The "Amare"
