Rudder/tiller retaining pin

[Mel]

This may sound like a dumb question, but being new to the boating community, I plead ignorance. I have a 25' Oday, with a standard rudder/tiller that mounts on the back of the boat with a stainless bracket. I've been told that the rudder/tiller is held in the brackets by a retaining pin. But either there was never one on my rudder, or I just don't know where to look. Can anyone help?

 

[Joe11688]

This may sound like a dumb question, but being new to the boating community, I plead ignorance. I have a 25' Oday, with a standard rudder/tiller that mounts on the back of the boat with a stainless bracket. I've been told that the rudder/tiller is held in the brackets by a retaining pin. But either there was never one on my rudder, or I just don't know where to look. Can anyone help?

Mel,
Check one of the pintles on your rudder for a small hole in which to insert a marine type stainless steel safety pin. They call it a sailboat rudder stop and there are different kinds of rudder stops but the safety pin type stop is pretty common on the O'Days. This is what I have on my O'Day 222 rudder. When the pintles are in the gudgeons on the stern of your boat, the rudder clip or safety pin is inserted and this prevents the rudder from coming out. Rudders are pricey and you don't want to lose it.
Joe

 

[Mel]

Hi Joe, thanks for responding. I checked the pintle on the rudder and there is no hole on either of them. Any recommendations on the best way to secure the rudder since there is no hole? Seems drilling through the stainless might be difficult, but not impossible, but if there's an alternative..... Mel

 

[Joe11688]

Hi Joe, thanks for responding. I checked the pintle on the rudder and there is no hole on either of them. Any recommendations on the best way to secure the rudder since there is no hole? Seems drilling through the stainless might be difficult, but not impossible, but if there's an alternative..... Mel

Mel,
There are different types of rudder stops. There's the type that I mentioned, and they have one made out of thin steel that bends. There's one that is shaped like an "L" that can be mounted on the transom just above the pintle on one screw that can swivel out of the way when you remove the rudder. This guy MC came up with his own version of a rudder stop http://www.mcscow.org/rigging/rudder_stop.htm which seems to be pretty unique. Looking closely at the picture though, it looks like his pintle has a hole in it and I'm wondering why he didn't go with a marine type safety pin. Try searching "sailboat rudder stop" for an idea of what you'd want to use on your boat. If you have the room to drill a small hole in your upper pintle, that would be the best and easiest way to go, I think. At any rate, you have plenty of time to decide. Good luck Mel!
Joe

 

[emergpa1]

U could just attach a line to ur rudder-tiller assembly so that if it slipped out of it's bracket )( gudgeons) it would not be lost.
I am hanging out in the salon of My Girl watching miracle on 34th street. A front just moved quickly through bringing a clean brisk rain followed by clear skies, full moon, and bright stars. The temperature can't be below 55*F. Love north GA!