Rudder Tube Hardware

[rardiH36]

Until recently one of the few sections of my boat that I have not really stuck my nose into is the rudder tube hardware.

But a teaspoon (or so) of salt water in a depression below the tube after my recent sails has caught my attention. The depression remains dry between sails.

Per the attached picture, I'm guessing that the bolt heads (two of four made it into the picture) can be gently tightened to compress packing inside the fitting?

Other than that, I have removed and replaced one suspect hose clamp. Tightened the other. And put a new one right next to that. So I now have three instead of two.

Suggestions, descriptions, criticisms please.

Thanks

 

[buzzerk]

We have sister boats . . . and the rudder flex hose had failed the PO . . . and I was left w/a mess . . . during a haul, I glassed in the packing gland assembly (the bolts should already be snugged to zero clearance between the two sections of the gland) to the hull post. 4 yrs later, and a trip thru the canal, so far so good . . . to make a long story short . . .

 

[rardiH36]

Buzzerk,
Thanks. My rudder post rubber tube i think was replace by a PO in the late 1990's. It's appearance visually still looks ok. New hose clamps and snugging up the gland bolts hopefully will keep me ok for few more years.