I have a 1988 28.5 which has a significant amount of steering play. I tightened the two chain/cables on the shaft mounted block as the cables had so much slack that they actually sagged. After I tightened the cables to snug, a fellow club member (who also owns a 28.5) rocked the wheel back and forth to check the results of the cable tension. What we discovered was quite alarming. The top of the rudder post would wobble off center by more than and inch in either direction of center. There was also a very noticeable clunking sound. When I compared my boat to his 1986 model, I noticed that there were a few noticeable feature variations on the upper shaft support. (We both have Edson chain/cable steering systems)
One senerio that I've come up with is either the previous owner or a Lake Michigan marine crane operator rammed the rudder into something hard enough to damage the fiberglass that the upper portion of the rudder post passes through or this was just taking so much wear over the years that the existing fiberglass wallowed out. Either way there is tell tale evidence that an inadequate repair was made with a 3/4 thick phenolic block that was bolted to the structure under the cockpit and jb welded on what remains of the original upper rudder shaft support opening. I found a few 1" square aluminum wedges between the phenolic piece and what was left of the original fiberglass. I race with yet a third 28.5 owner on another club and his boat performs very well and he has zero play in his steering. In heavier air I will get an occasional clunk out of my rudder and notice that I have a great deal more weather helm most likely due to the axis of the rudder shaft being pulled off center. I recently re-tuned my rigging and took 2" out of my forestay in an effort to sweep my mast farther forward and reduce weather helm. The problem is in the rudder.
Has anyone had any problems similar to this? If so what did you do to repair it? I am open to suggestions. I sail on a small south central Kansas lake, therefore taking my 28.5 to a reputable marine dealer is not an option.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Dave L.
One senerio that I've come up with is either the previous owner or a Lake Michigan marine crane operator rammed the rudder into something hard enough to damage the fiberglass that the upper portion of the rudder post passes through or this was just taking so much wear over the years that the existing fiberglass wallowed out. Either way there is tell tale evidence that an inadequate repair was made with a 3/4 thick phenolic block that was bolted to the structure under the cockpit and jb welded on what remains of the original upper rudder shaft support opening. I found a few 1" square aluminum wedges between the phenolic piece and what was left of the original fiberglass. I race with yet a third 28.5 owner on another club and his boat performs very well and he has zero play in his steering. In heavier air I will get an occasional clunk out of my rudder and notice that I have a great deal more weather helm most likely due to the axis of the rudder shaft being pulled off center. I recently re-tuned my rigging and took 2" out of my forestay in an effort to sweep my mast farther forward and reduce weather helm. The problem is in the rudder.
Has anyone had any problems similar to this? If so what did you do to repair it? I am open to suggestions. I sail on a small south central Kansas lake, therefore taking my 28.5 to a reputable marine dealer is not an option.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Dave L.
