Tightening the pintles on a Foss Foam Rudder

[Thomas Ehmke]

Al,Two years ago while I was sailing on Lake Erie the lower pintle on my 272 broke and before I got the boat back under control the upper pintle had distorted so much that I could no longer align it with the hull-mounted gudgeons. I had to order new upper and lower pintles from Rudy Nickerson (who else!!) at DandR Marine. When I installed them, I noticed, not for the first time, that it is difficult to really draw the bolts tight which hold the pintles to the rudder because the foam compresses. I have since noticed that there is now a slight distortion in the rudder at the pintle connection points because of the loosening of normal wear and my tightening of the bolts to compensate.Is there a solution to this problem? It seems that I will either have to leave the pintles loose or distort the rudder more when I tighten the bolts that hold them. I have had no other problems with the Foss Foam rudder . The boat is an '86 model. The rudder is OEM.Tom

 

[Bill]

Compression

One way to tighten up the bolt is to insert a bushing through the hole which is cut just slightly shorter than the thickness of the rudder and then the bolt through the bushing. This what should also be done when securing bolts through a mast or boom where there are high loads. The bushing (tube) prevents the mast from compressing.Good luck

 

[R.W.Landau]

one idea

Thomas,Have you heard of the trick with cored fiberglass?You drill an over size hole, use a right angle nail chucked up in a drill and hollow out the core about 1/2 bigger than the hole. Then inject epoxy , let cure, then redrill your holes. This not only seals the hole but gives a solid backing to the bracket.r.w.landau

 

[Thomas Ehmke]

Thanks, R.W.

R.W.Thanks for the epoxy idea. I have read of the drill and fill method, but didn't make the connection needed to use it on the rudder.  By the way when you responded, my boat became a Catalina 272 and when Bill responded before you it was a Hunter 272. Boy, (PHIL!!) am I confused. Is this the consequence of the NON-sense regarding "Ask All Sailors"? Maybe my boat is a Non-Catalina 272 or a Non-Hunter 272, but it for sure isn't a Catalina 272 or Hunter 272. Or does the boat change identities depending on the site the respondent is affiliated with??? (Please, Phil, if you do read this, do so with a sense of humor. You really have a great site here!)Tom

 

[Al Walker]

Repair

Hi, I thought I was the expert! You have two good suggestions from RW and Bill. I will have to respond quicker next time so that I don't get beat to the punch.Sincerely,Al Walkerps Thanks RW and Bill