rudder removal while boat is in water

[qazvick]

Hey all,

First time poster here.

I have searched for a couple days now on this website and all through Google but I just cannot find a definitive answer on this.

It seems as if my rudder needs to be rebuilt. My question is, is it possible to remove it with the boat still in the water?

Any precautions I should take?

Thanks again for any help.

 

[Capt jgw]

Depends on the boat. If your rudder post is in a tube that comes to above the water line you can. If there's a stuffing box similar to the one on your prop shaft you theoretically could, but there will be a big hole in the bottom you'll have to plug. I wouldn't chance it. Either way you'll have to rig lines or something to catch or hold the rudder so you don't lose it. It would be easier on the hard, but you might have to dig a hole or block the boat up higher to get room to drop it out.

 

[seadaddler]

Rudder

If you could get some info from another 33 owner on first how the rudder
comes out and that would help to see if it could be done in water.
Some are hard to take out on the hard but do you have photo's and do a search
here in this forum for info on your model boat and what year is your boat.
You should be able to get plenty of info here and I am sure some one will jump
in and help that has your model,just wait for more info.
Nick

 

[qazvick]

It's a 1983 Cherubini. I actually originally thought I was posting in the correct but I noticed there's an actual.Cherubini forum. Can anyone here move this thread.over there By chance?

 

[Ken13559]

Once i had my rudder removed while floating in slip for repair of the rudder tube. Surprisingly, the rudder floats! Since you're going tyo rebuild your rudder, maybe it won't float.
Like Capt jgw said if its in tube, no problem to remove in water.

 

[fstbttms]

I have removed and reinstalled any number of rudders while the boat is in the water. It is not only possible but not particularly difficult.