Hello All, I have 1981 Catalina 30' that has fairly significant movent in rudder shaft causing gelcoat to crack where emergency tiller attaches. I dropped the rudder about 5 inches in the yard last weekend to get a better look and it appears that where the rudder shaft enters the rear transom there is a fibberglass tube it fits into? The shaft does not rotate freely in the tube and I beleive that the tube was originally glassed to the outer hull but has come loose and ceased to the shaft? This might also explain a creaking noise that I am hearing while underway. My question is: has anyone had similar problem with Catalina rudder and if so what is fix? Can I get new bushing(original fiberglass tubing) and if so is this supposed to be glassed to the hull? Please help. Thx
Rudder Post Movement
- Thread starter scottb
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Common Problem
My neighbor dropped his rudder and loaded up the inside of the tube with thickened fiberglass resin. Then coated the rudder with grease and installed it before the resin kicked. The resin took up some of the free play and worked as a shim. Have fun
My neighbor dropped his rudder and loaded up the inside of the tube with thickened fiberglass resin. Then coated the rudder with grease and installed it before the resin kicked. The resin took up some of the free play and worked as a shim. Have fun
Here's what it looks like
See the link. Catalina Direct sells the stuffing box if you need to replace it.
See the link. Catalina Direct sells the stuffing box if you need to replace it.
re: heres what it looks like
Stu, thanks for the link. Just looking at the diagram and I think this pretains to the lower portion of the rudder shaft. I am having difficulty where the fiberglass tubing has broken free from the outer hull area in cockpit. Do you know if Catalina offers any fixes for this area?
Stu, thanks for the link. Just looking at the diagram and I think this pretains to the lower portion of the rudder shaft. I am having difficulty where the fiberglass tubing has broken free from the outer hull area in cockpit. Do you know if Catalina offers any fixes for this area?
re: common problem
Thanks for you respons Daryl. The area to fill with resin is tubular in shape and probably about 6-8 inches in height. I have never worked with resin so is there someway to inject into tight area. What was the set up time like for your neighbour and was the grease sufficient to mainatin the rotation of the shaft? Did he turn side to side periodically while waiting for resin to set, if so do you know about how often? Finally, has solution held up for him? Thanks again. Scott
Thanks for you respons Daryl. The area to fill with resin is tubular in shape and probably about 6-8 inches in height. I have never worked with resin so is there someway to inject into tight area. What was the set up time like for your neighbour and was the grease sufficient to mainatin the rotation of the shaft? Did he turn side to side periodically while waiting for resin to set, if so do you know about how often? Finally, has solution held up for him? Thanks again. Scott
Mylar
Scott - You may have a more serious problem with your rudder tube but if it is JUST a problem of the rudder stock rattling within the Fiberglass rudder tube you might try my fix.I got a sheet of mylar (plastic drafting material), removed the rudder head when the boat was hauled out cut a 6 - 8 inch wide strip that was equal in length to the circumference of the rudder stock, slid it down between the tube and the rudder stock..... worked like a charm, no more rudder stock rattling.... and no hassle etc of resins etc. when, if ever, the mylar wears out - slide in a new piece.... worth a try? I didn't dream this up - I read about it on a Cat 30 site somewhere, I just can't remember what site. I believe Gudgeon(sp) Brothers (west system epoxy) have instructions for a rudder tube fix that you may be able to have them email to you.
Scott - You may have a more serious problem with your rudder tube but if it is JUST a problem of the rudder stock rattling within the Fiberglass rudder tube you might try my fix.I got a sheet of mylar (plastic drafting material), removed the rudder head when the boat was hauled out cut a 6 - 8 inch wide strip that was equal in length to the circumference of the rudder stock, slid it down between the tube and the rudder stock..... worked like a charm, no more rudder stock rattling.... and no hassle etc of resins etc. when, if ever, the mylar wears out - slide in a new piece.... worth a try? I didn't dream this up - I read about it on a Cat 30 site somewhere, I just can't remember what site. I believe Gudgeon(sp) Brothers (west system epoxy) have instructions for a rudder tube fix that you may be able to have them email to you.
C30 Rudder
Hi ScottB, Sounds like you have a fairly serious problem if the entire rudder tube is moving. If that is the case, it must be reattached to the hull with a proper repair. For Stu, I just removed my rudder to check the stuffing box, as it was getting a little sloppy in the tube. When I removed the Edison steering collar, the rudder dropped to the ground! No Stuffing box on 1996 C30. The top of the rudder tube is high enough to be above design water line, so no water incursion. I did have to replace the top rudder bearing, and I am using Mylar strips to shim the rudder post in the tube. Word of caution, when you remove the thru bolt from the steering column, the only thing holding the rudder is the friction from the collar itself. Have the rudder supported becore you start, or you could be as surprised as I was! Side notel; My upper rudder bearing was worn to about 1/2 its original thickness. I believe it was caused by sand migrating past the access panel from the cockpit floor, and then when I backflushed thru the drain thruhll in the transome with a hose to flush out that compartment, sand was carried up to the bearing surface. Do not fill the compartment completely while flushing it out and you should avoid that problem. fair winds Dave
Hi ScottB, Sounds like you have a fairly serious problem if the entire rudder tube is moving. If that is the case, it must be reattached to the hull with a proper repair. For Stu, I just removed my rudder to check the stuffing box, as it was getting a little sloppy in the tube. When I removed the Edison steering collar, the rudder dropped to the ground! No Stuffing box on 1996 C30. The top of the rudder tube is high enough to be above design water line, so no water incursion. I did have to replace the top rudder bearing, and I am using Mylar strips to shim the rudder post in the tube. Word of caution, when you remove the thru bolt from the steering column, the only thing holding the rudder is the friction from the collar itself. Have the rudder supported becore you start, or you could be as surprised as I was! Side notel; My upper rudder bearing was worn to about 1/2 its original thickness. I believe it was caused by sand migrating past the access panel from the cockpit floor, and then when I backflushed thru the drain thruhll in the transome with a hose to flush out that compartment, sand was carried up to the bearing surface. Do not fill the compartment completely while flushing it out and you should avoid that problem. fair winds Dave
My rudder was replaced 2 years ago
My rudder was replaced two years ago and I got to watch the job. It was really interesting. The Catalina 30 has a rudder tube that goes all the way the the rudder box. It is far above the water line so there isn't a stuffing box. I agree with the other posts that this seems like a very serious problem. If left unchecked it could cause the boat to sink.
My rudder was replaced two years ago and I got to watch the job. It was really interesting. The Catalina 30 has a rudder tube that goes all the way the the rudder box. It is far above the water line so there isn't a stuffing box. I agree with the other posts that this seems like a very serious problem. If left unchecked it could cause the boat to sink.
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