Can someone tell me the process for removing the rudder from my O'Day 30 with the boat in the water? I'm guessing it involves making a harness and pushing the rudder out of the tube. It has an Edson steering system. Will that need to be disassembled?I live about 600 miles from my boat so any advance preparations that I can make will help a great deal. Are any special tools required? I had a recent run in with a shoal and believe the rudder is pushed up against the hull since steering is very difficult. Thank you. Mike B
Rudder Removal
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Can someone tell me the process for removing the rudder from my O'Day 30 with the boat in the water? I'm guessing it involves making a harness and pushing the rudder out of the tube. It has an Edson steering system. Will that need to be disassembled?I live about 600 miles from my boat so any advance preparations that I can make will help a great deal. Are any special tools required? I had a recent run in with a shoal and believe the rudder is pushed up against the hull since steering is very difficult. Thank you. Mike B
J
js375_2000@yahoo.com
I have had the rudder out of my 34 (1982), and would assume they are similiar. The rudder needes to be disconnected form the quadrant. The quadrant has a 5/16 bolt through the rudder post, once that bolt is free the post is free to slide out. You also need to loosen the sreering cables, I took mine off, but not sure they need to come all the way off. Once that is done, the rudder "just" slides out. I used a lever, me inside, & 3 people outside to get it free. Thed post was not bent, but something was binding. I really reccomend doing it with the boat out. Plus once the rudder is off you can change the cutlass bearing difficult/impossible to do w/ rudder in place. The rudder plus post is about 8' long and it is suposed to float, BUT---- Good luck, email me directly if you have questions
M
Mike
js375 has it right. There is a bolt which goes through the post and the post housing which holds the rudder from dropping out of the boat. In addition there are four bolts, two on each side of the steering quadrant which need be loosened only for the rudder to come out of the housing. The through bolt also goes through the quadrant so once the quadrant bolts are loose and the through bolt is renmoved the rudder will fall out of the boat. I would not do this in the water but it could be done in the water. Pulling it will pose no problem but putting it back in will be a problem. You need a helper on the outside of the boat pushing the rudder up into the fiberglass housing who can hear your directions on where to position the rudder so you can install the bolt into the rudder post. Unfortunately they will be at the bottom of the rudder so as to push on it and that will place them under water (out of hearing range). It's not a difficult thing to do but some of the installation is touchy-feely. Lastly, there is a cushion/bearing/seal between the bottom of the steering quadrant and the rudder stock housing. I am assuming that the boat is wheel steered. I must reiterate that pulling the rudder out while hanging in the travel lift slings is the best way to do this job. You can't do the job in a cradle or on jack stands unless you dig a hole under the rudder so as to allow room to pull it. By way of preparation you should have a set of socket wrenches, a ratchet handle and a set of box end/open end wrenches. The bolt sizes, as I remember are 9/16 or 1/2 inch. A hammer to tap the bolt out of the post will be necessary, also a flash light will help, some rags since the area tends to be greasy and if you go more than 45 inches around the waist it is a tight fit for the mechanic. Good Luck, Mike
Thanks
Thanks Mike and JS375. I atempted to remove the bolt that goes through the quadrant and rudderpost. It is seized and if I had put much more force on it I would have broken the head off. I am assuming that the quadrant is threaded and the bolt cannot just be knocked out once the nut is removed. Thanks for the advice. Mike B
Thanks Mike and JS375. I atempted to remove the bolt that goes through the quadrant and rudderpost. It is seized and if I had put much more force on it I would have broken the head off. I am assuming that the quadrant is threaded and the bolt cannot just be knocked out once the nut is removed. Thanks for the advice. Mike B
M
Mike
Mine wasn't threaded
Neither the quadrant or the post was threaded on my boat, but all boats are a bit different. I agreee that if the bolt snapped off in a threaded part it would be a big problem. Regards, Mike S/B Pitterpat, Lake Huron
Neither the quadrant or the post was threaded on my boat, but all boats are a bit different. I agreee that if the bolt snapped off in a threaded part it would be a big problem. Regards, Mike S/B Pitterpat, Lake Huron
J
js375_2000
I remember really having a hard time getting that bolt out. It was a standard 5/16 bolt with about 1" of threads. I had someone push up the rudder to take the weight off it and beat the hell out it with a hammer. Replaced it with a new one since i destroyed the threads. Also had to hammer the new one in, with some serious pushing from below. Mine has a grease fitting on it and I greased it thoroughly befor attemping removal, not sure it helped, made a mess, but once your past the propane locker, it is pretty roomy back there.
M
Mike
Now I remember...
When I pulled my rudder I, at first had my guy on the ground push up on it too hard and it bound the bolt in the hole from to much up-pressure side load. Conversely if I let it hang on the bolt the downward pressure side loaded it likewise but downward. Finally I rested the rudder on a short ladder and tapped a shim under it till the bolt was free in the hole. That tactic worked. Try it 'cause I don't think that the hole is threaded. Mike
When I pulled my rudder I, at first had my guy on the ground push up on it too hard and it bound the bolt in the hole from to much up-pressure side load. Conversely if I let it hang on the bolt the downward pressure side loaded it likewise but downward. Finally I rested the rudder on a short ladder and tapped a shim under it till the bolt was free in the hole. That tactic worked. Try it 'cause I don't think that the hole is threaded. Mike
You guys are right
Thanks again for the help. I'm certain now you guys are right and the quadrant is not threaded. The fact that the rudder is jammed up against the hull is probably putting pressure on the bolt. I think I will try to take the quadrant apart although those bolts are rounded off. Vise grips, a large hammer, sawzall, and a 600 mile drive. That should get it done. Mike B.
Thanks again for the help. I'm certain now you guys are right and the quadrant is not threaded. The fact that the rudder is jammed up against the hull is probably putting pressure on the bolt. I think I will try to take the quadrant apart although those bolts are rounded off. Vise grips, a large hammer, sawzall, and a 600 mile drive. That should get it done. Mike B.
J
js375_2000@yahoo.com
I don't rememember taking the quadrant off, but I did loosen it some. There are 4 bolts (2 facing forward & 2 facing aft, 1/2", I think)that go into threaded parts opposite each other. Mine is an 82, always fresh water, and I had no corrosion. A very different story for salt water boats. I assumne you have the boat out of the water by this time. Plan on atending the Great Laked Rendevous this summer with tales of a successful execution js
M
Mike
What's this?
What's this about a summer rondezvous on the Great Lakes? Is this an OD rondezvous or is it and all sailboat meet? Sounds good; where is it, when is it? Lemme' know! Thanks, Mike
What's this about a summer rondezvous on the Great Lakes? Is this an OD rondezvous or is it and all sailboat meet? Sounds good; where is it, when is it? Lemme' know! Thanks, Mike
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