Rudders

[Kevin Claffey]

I ran aground today on a sand bar. The boat pivoted on the rudder before we came free. Since then she groans and squeaks every time the tiler is moved. My guess is that I bent the rudder post? Any suggestions?Thanks,Kevin

 

[Dan Bryant]

pull it and check

Kevin,I would pull the rudder and check it. Its moderately easy to do in the water (note: you can't do it on the land unless the boat is WAY up on blocks, or you can dig a hole under the rudder). I have wheel steering on mine, so after I disconnected the quadrant I got in the water and pulled it through. The rudder floats, so don't worry about it. If its bent you will know it. I rebuilt mine with stainless tube, but if I had it to do again I would have used stainless round bar stock (heavy, but easily machined to the right diameter, and no welding).Putting it back in is more challenging (you have to ride it like a horse!) butit will go in fine.

 

[Kevin Claffey]

Disconnect the Quadrant?

Dan,Thanks for the good advice. I also have a wheel. Keep calling it a tiller for some reason? Do you have any instructions on disconnecting the quadrant? Thanks Again.Kevin

 

[Dan Bryant]

The How-To

Kevin,To drop the rudder you have to remove the quadrant. To do this you loosen and remove the steering cables and the five bolts that hold the quadrant onto the rudder tube. The first two on the top are easy; the two on the bottom are done by feel so its harder. The one at the stop point (where the rubber stop is)is easy. At this point one half of the quadrant will come off in your hand. The other half is held on by the set bolt which is tapped into the tube to prevent any independent rotation of the quadrant and the shaft. Try to remove this - I had to drill my out as it was stripped and frozen solid. Now just remove the emergency tiller bolt. Your rudder is now floating in place (with a little help from the gasket in the collar). Push it down to get it started, then go over the side and pull it out, being careful not to let the tube (driven by the bouyant foam rudder) get out of control and pinch your fingers. From there I would sight it, and if needed, replace the tube. Cut off the old one at the rudder and machine a SS bar stock to slide into the hole in the rudder yet be 2" diameter on the upper so your collar still fits. Drill it, tap it, bolt it and seal it. Best of luck!Dan