The flimsy 192 rudder headstock

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Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
So, back to an earlier post about the rudder headstock on the 192 (and I assume 222) being awfully flimsy.

Last night, I was motoring in, and I look back, and the headstock looks like it's got a curve to port in it. I was like, "Crap! Somehow I've bent my headstock!" But back in the slip, the headstock seemed straight. I theorize that turbulent flow outside the prop diameter was pushing the rudder blade to port, and flexing the headstock.

Now, I know that the headstock plates on my 15' Harpoon are about twice as thick as on this 192, and that's by far a smaller, lighter boat. And this thinner headstock gave me pause this spring when I was painting it. Now, I've seen evidence that it has woefully inadequate scantlings.

Has anyone else rebuilt or reinforced the headstock plates? If so, have you got pictures?

I figure the headstock needs at least 1/8" thicker aluminum plate. I was wondering if I could rivet plates onto the existing? Maybe cut it smaller than the inside of the stand-off spacer rivets? Or would it be better to find a machine shop that could fab me a new one out of thicker AL plate?

Thanks for the opinions and experiences...

Brian
 
Joe11688

Joe11688

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Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
I remember Rudy telling me about the rudder heads on some of the O'Days being made thin and flimsy. Fortunately, my rudder head came through with 1/4" aluminum.
What I would do is use your rudder head for a pattern and have a new one made. I would cut the new one out so that it extends a little higher over the transom. This way, you could mount a larger diameter tiller on it similar to what I have on my rudder head.
 

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Mich222

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Oct 20, 2008
142
Oday 222 USA
Brian:
If it wasn't originally built that way, the PO of my 222 must have layered the aluminum plate over the top half of the metal headstock- about 3/16 to 1/4 inch thickness added. Until I read your post, I hadn't paid attention to the layered aluminum plate- as I haven't noted any flimsiness with the headstock.
 

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Brian S

Brian S

.
Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Thanks, guys!

Mich, it looks as if the spacer rivets have been drilled out, and a SS bolt with nylock nut used in place of the rivets. Is that correct? It looks like a solid fix...

Perhaps this winter, I will disassemble and rebuild it with new, thicker side plates. I figure, if I'm going to mark out and cut (2) half sized pieces, I might as well cut out (2) full sized pieces! I'm sure I'll be able to spread the pintle brackets enough to fit on some thicker side plates...

I will look at mine very closely this weekend, to start formulating my plan of attack...

Brian
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Hmmm, on further review of Mich's first picture, it looks as if the PO even added a block of hardwood up the aft edge of the headstock, in place of the spacers, for even greater rigidity. Now I understand the 1/2 size sister plate that comes up above the level of the foil head - because the hardwood spacer can't go down further than the foil head, so the side plate is sistered above the foil head.

Hmmm... food for thought....

Brian
 
Joe11688

Joe11688

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Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Brian,

My rudder head also has a long Teak block on the front as well as the back of the head.

Joe
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Hmmm... It's starting to look as if I have the flimsy version for sure. Thin plates, no teak spacers... I'm going to have a look tonight at some of the other 192s on my dock (there are 2 or three others. And several more in the marina...)

A rebuild like Mich's won't be difficult...

Brian
 
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