S boat rudder hole locations

[vizwhiz]

I have a feeling the holes in my factory rudder that are supposed to let water in/out are plugged and covered. There were some surface damage spots on the leading edge of the rudder and other wear areas, including where the prop hit it once or twice, so I did a basic sand-down job on the whole thing, patched up the rough spots with Marine Tex, and had the repair shop at work paint it with epoxy. However, I don't recall any through-holes at all in the rudder, and now I'm beginning to think that some of the old patchwork I saw on the rudder after sanding might have been covering those holes...
Can anyone give me some coordinates to look for on the rudder...x inches from somewhere and y from the leading/trailing edge kind of thing...?
Thanks in advance!

 

[finding41]

I don't recall anything other than a 3/8 hole on the very bottom of my one stock rudder.
Other than that the holes ware the up/ down haul lines goes in.
I know my stock rudder is kind of like a cork when I go to put it in the water but it's full of water when I bring it up after each use. I've never watched it fill or empty.

 

[Cruiser1]

I have a feeling the holes in my factory rudder that are supposed to let water in/out are plugged and covered. There were some surface damage spots on the leading edge of the rudder and other wear areas, including where the prop hit it once or twice, so I did a basic sand-down job on the whole thing, patched up the rough spots with Marine Tex, and had the repair shop at work paint it with epoxy. However, I don't recall any through-holes at all in the rudder, and now I'm beginning to think that some of the old patchwork I saw on the rudder after sanding might have been covering those holes...
Can anyone give me some coordinates to look for on the rudder...x inches from somewhere and y from the leading/trailing edge kind of thing...?
Thanks in advance!

This may help you locate the holes. Photo taken from my 1992 26S.

 

[vizwhiz]

Excellent...exactly what i needed.
Thank you!

 

[BILLNPR]

Rudder down haul line

It looks like you replaced the down haul cable with a rope line. What kind, size and do you still run it threw the tiller tube? Good picture. Thanks

 

[Cruiser1]

It looks like you replaced the down haul cable with a rope line. What kind, size and do you still run it threw the tiller tube? Good picture. Thanks

Sorry Bill, photo is a bit misleading. I just grabbed the first rope I could get my hands on in order to take the photo. I do actually only use a rope but can't locate same at the moment - I think it is about 3/8-5/16" but not sure. I think it would be preferable to run S/S wire up the tube, with a thimble swagged on the end and then a cord connected to that for cleating off.

 

[Roadking Larry]

It looks like you replaced the down haul cable with a rope line. What kind, size and do you still run it threw the tiller tube? Good picture. Thanks

When I got my 26S it had a piece of galvanized cable for the rudder down haul. It lasted about 6 weeks when I put it inthe water full time last year.
I replaced it with a piece of 1/4" braided line. You will have trouble going much bigger than that due to the construction of the rudder post. there is a welded in reinforcement on the bottom end and the top has the removeable anti-crush piece where the tiller bolts on. At least that's how mine is set up. If ours is the same I'd suggest running the line in front of the reinforcement at the bottom and behind the one at the top to keep the line from rubbing on the rough edge of the inside of the rudder post.

I just used the sme peice of line and ran it from the rudder, up the post to a break away cleat on the tiller and then back up and over the stern rail to the up haul on the rudder. I've got a cleat clamped to stearn rail where I tie off the line when the rudder is up.

 

[Cruiser1]

................... I just used the same piece of line and ran it from the rudder, up the post to a break away cleat on the tiller and then back up and over the stern rail to the up haul on the rudder. I've got a cleat clamped to stern rail where I tie off the line when the rudder is up.

Hi Larry,
Would you be able to post photos of your break away cleat on your tiller and your cleat clamped on the stern rail, please?

 

[Roadking Larry]

I don't have any pics of my set up but I found these.

Here's the cleat on the tiller
http://www.clamcleat.com/cleats/cleat_details.asp?theid2=78

The rail mounted cleat is something along this line.
http://www.seaboundsupply.com/sea-d...t-4-1-2.html?gclid=CPWTpNzGqL0CFWZo7AodDxoA9A

 

[Cruiser1]

I don't have any pics of my set up but I found these.

Here's the cleat on the tiller
http://www.clamcleat.com/cleats/cleat_details.asp?theid2=78

The rail mounted cleat is something along this line.
http://www.seaboundsupply.com/sea-d...t-4-1-2.html?gclid=CPWTpNzGqL0CFWZo7AodDxoA9A

Thanks Larry,
The tiller cleat is the same one that Sumner uses - I will have to get hold of one of those.

That Sea-dog cleat you use on your pushpit looks good _ I can see a few applications for those cleats. Always impressed with how SeaDog puts out such good quality gear at such reasonable prices.

 

[Doc_holiday]

I used a piece of stainless cable looks like 1/4" from Home Depot. I installed a block on top of the tiller and bugged the cable to a 1/4" line to the break away... I have been through several ropes to that point. I had apparently deleted the picture...

 

[Paul Brinkley]

I have used a piece of 3/16" line on the rudder since I got my 26S in 2007. I carry some extra line and a straightened coat hanger on the boat so I can replace it if it breaks. I check it now and then, but it is good so far . Line has a loop in the upper end, and I rigged a bungy cord to put enough tension on the line to keep the rudder down when sailing, but allow the rudder to swing up when I hit bottom. Works good for me.