Stiff vs Wobbly rudder problem.

[Seashantyman]

I have a 1978 O'Day 28 that I am currently finishing a rebuild on. The previous owner said that the rudder used to be loose and he had it professionally fixed... but now it is extremely stiff. Is there a way to loosen it up a little?? He believed that the original rudder was bent slightly to accomodate a less than straight rudder shaft, but when he got it straightened, it now is far too tight. I plan on launching it this spring for the first time and I can't even imagine how tiring it would be to be steering this in it's present condition. Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[David Hirtle]

Stiff VS Wobbly Rudder

Sounds like you still have a bent rudder stock. If it were me, before I'd dig a hole and attempt to drop the rudder from the boat, go in thru the lazarette, and somewhere in the middle of the rudder post is a greese fitting, with someone outside watching where the rudder enters the boat, greese the daylights out of it. Turn the rudder stop to stop, and add some more greese until it starts to ooz outwhere it enters the boat. Give it a shot. It might help! If it doesn't, the hole to accommodate the length of rudder shaft is the most challenging part of dropping the rudder; you will need a couple of friends to assist. Let me know.

 

[Seashantyman]

Re: Stiff vs Wobbly rudder

Thanks David, I'll try the grease trick and see what happens... definitely sounds better than diging a hole!!

 

[SeaShantyMan]

Stiff vs Wobbly Rudder

Thanks David, your advice to lube the rudder really helped. I pumped about 3 8oz canisters of marine lube in there until it started gushing out around the bearing box at the bottom of the shaft, then started moving it back and forth and it loosened right up, as well as gave me an additional foot or so of swing both port and starboard... I can't imagine why they didn't lube it when it was worked on. But again, Thanks!