All, The bracket for my rudder on my H23 has numerous cracks. The local boat-yard guru tells me it is unsafe. Does anyone have a line on where I can obtain a new or used bracket. My tiller and rudder are fine, and I don't want to purchase an entirely new set. Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks, JTP
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Do you mean the pintles
or the gudgeons or the aluminum housing where the tiller goes and the rudder pivots up and down? Try to be a little more precise. A picture would help enormously as well!
or the gudgeons or the aluminum housing where the tiller goes and the rudder pivots up and down? Try to be a little more precise. A picture would help enormously as well!
Bracket cracks
It is the entire bracket "box" which houses the top of the blade that is cracked and not repairable. The local repair facility says that they would have to fashion and weld an entire box around the current housing to repair it and the cost for that is somewhat prohibitive compared replacing the entire assembly (bracket, tiller and blade) through a company such as IdaSail. I'm seeking the aluminum housing. Thanks, JTP
It is the entire bracket "box" which houses the top of the blade that is cracked and not repairable. The local repair facility says that they would have to fashion and weld an entire box around the current housing to repair it and the cost for that is somewhat prohibitive compared replacing the entire assembly (bracket, tiller and blade) through a company such as IdaSail. I'm seeking the aluminum housing. Thanks, JTP
Repair
When I purchased my '86H23 in 1999 the rudder bracket showed signs of previous repair (cracks on corners welded), most of which on the forward (gudgeon) side. As an inexperienced sailor I would go at it hard, fighting weather helm caused by maladjusted sails. Misbehaving so one day in the Florida Straights the housing gave way so that the rudder no longer followed along the keel but at a 45 degree angle. I motored back to Penekamp, found a local hardware store to purchase material and fashioned braces so that I could complete the week's sail. Faced with your dilemma I sailed with my repairs for another three years. Eventually I was fortunate to have a metalworker friend manufacture a new housing (heavier gauge sheet aluminum this time) for no charge. I would estimate its value between $300-$500, though. My "temporary" repair would be in use today if it weren't for another's generosity, since it worked well enough. I did this on the dock: I had to brace all four corners of the housing using 2" aluminum angle stock. Since the width of the housing is four inches I had to cut between 1/4" from one side (the mating edges) of each piece I had cut to length. I drilled and through bolted this at three points along its length, clamping the assembly back to proper shape. I had to cut into and re-fiberglass the leading upper part of the pivot point of the rudder blade for clearance for the through bolt, since the lowest through bolt prevented proper rudder downhaul (creating even heavier weather helm). Sorry I don't have a photograph of the work on this computer, but can provide more information if you email me. It would be interesting to see a photo showing the extent of the damage you are suffering. Mark Major s/v Lesismor
When I purchased my '86H23 in 1999 the rudder bracket showed signs of previous repair (cracks on corners welded), most of which on the forward (gudgeon) side. As an inexperienced sailor I would go at it hard, fighting weather helm caused by maladjusted sails. Misbehaving so one day in the Florida Straights the housing gave way so that the rudder no longer followed along the keel but at a 45 degree angle. I motored back to Penekamp, found a local hardware store to purchase material and fashioned braces so that I could complete the week's sail. Faced with your dilemma I sailed with my repairs for another three years. Eventually I was fortunate to have a metalworker friend manufacture a new housing (heavier gauge sheet aluminum this time) for no charge. I would estimate its value between $300-$500, though. My "temporary" repair would be in use today if it weren't for another's generosity, since it worked well enough. I did this on the dock: I had to brace all four corners of the housing using 2" aluminum angle stock. Since the width of the housing is four inches I had to cut between 1/4" from one side (the mating edges) of each piece I had cut to length. I drilled and through bolted this at three points along its length, clamping the assembly back to proper shape. I had to cut into and re-fiberglass the leading upper part of the pivot point of the rudder blade for clearance for the through bolt, since the lowest through bolt prevented proper rudder downhaul (creating even heavier weather helm). Sorry I don't have a photograph of the work on this computer, but can provide more information if you email me. It would be interesting to see a photo showing the extent of the damage you are suffering. Mark Major s/v Lesismor
Thanks for the info
Mark, Thanks for the info. I have alot of spiderweb cracks in the housing on both sides. Not sure it can be repaired with any permanent success. Sailing at the Ches Bay entrance is unforgiving if key sailing gear fails. If I find a metal smith who can fabricate one--that may work. Barring another used bracket being available or fabrication of a new one, I'll probably be forced to purchase an entire rudder/tiller assembly. Again, many thanks. JTP
Mark, Thanks for the info. I have alot of spiderweb cracks in the housing on both sides. Not sure it can be repaired with any permanent success. Sailing at the Ches Bay entrance is unforgiving if key sailing gear fails. If I find a metal smith who can fabricate one--that may work. Barring another used bracket being available or fabrication of a new one, I'll probably be forced to purchase an entire rudder/tiller assembly. Again, many thanks. JTP
new is available
Check IDASAILOR they sell complete rudder and head assemblies. They probably will sell the head brackets.
Check IDASAILOR they sell complete rudder and head assemblies. They probably will sell the head brackets.
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