Rudder Post Pushed up After Weekend Nor' Easter

[Boatalec]

My Cat30 broke off its mooring lines with50 mph gusts during the Nor'easter this weekend and ended up along the shore during low tide. It stayed in the water, listing slightly to starboard but the strong wind and waves kept it rocking bow to stern pushing on the rudder. I re-floated her as the tide rose. Now, steering is tight and I can see that the rudder has been pushed upwards against the hull.

How would I go about pushing the rudder post down the inch or 2 to its original position?

Alec

 

[mortyd]

ask catalina

 

[The Garbone]

You could dive if you have the gear or pull her and have a look. Bouncing on the rudder is possibly a bad thing. My guess is the rudder being too high may just be the start.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Boat,

Sorry pal but, you sir have a bent rudder. This happened to me in Key West years ago.
First, a haulout to access the damage. The fact you could still steer tells me the rudder may not be bent that badly.

I can tell you the rudder will have to be dropped. Most times, this can be straightened if the rudder pipe isn't creased. Then a damage check to the rudder tube leading to your quadrant & any glass repair. The good news, this is covered under insurance. How good, depends on how good your carrier & policy is pal.

Remember as Mort said, contact Catalina @ 818.884.7700. Ask for the engineering dept. Tell them what you have, they can send you their shop drawings for reference & part nos. Remember to replace the nylon washers that go between the rudder top & the rudder post.

I do have empathy for you guys in NE. You have your own version of tropical storm conditions to deal with like us in Florida & the Gulf states.

CR