Wow buyers remorse

[drumbeater]

Even thought we got a good deal on the boat, $1000, I guess it's all relative. Looks like the rudder bushing are shot. You can lift the rudder a good 3/4" and pushing down on the end of the tiller exhibits a good 1/2" of play in the shaft (or I guess due to the bushing being gone, hopefully anyway.) You can see in the picture where the shaft has fallen down and destroyed the plastic piece around the rudder shaft. I'm not sure where to get that.

Good parts are a complete brand new set of cushions, main sail cover, jib bag, and the interior is dry as a bone. Interior teak all looks good too.

Electrical wiring is a mess, but I'm pretty good at that. Every new electronic device the PO added he ran a home run to the battery instead of the distribution center.

Lots of the Schaefer hardware has given up and the white sheaves have all broken to pieces. All of them are assembled with rivets, so I guess you have to replace the whole piece?

That's my kid that talked me into this in the dinghy.

 

[Doug L]

Heck, you only paid a grand for it, and it floats! You could dsrill out the rivets on the blocks, replace just the sheaves, and use a clevis pin for an axle. I am sure a little creativity will rebush the rudder. Keep in mind it was only $1000. If it sails at all, you got your money's worth.

 

[anchorclanker]

Yeah, a thou dont buy much these days. Some oil on that teak will help that companionway. I wouldnt be real bummed about it.

 

[NYSail]

Just wait until your first sail....

 

[drumbeater]

How about that plastic piece around the rudder shaft? I didn't see that available from D&R. Any sources for one of those?

And I'm not too worried about the boat in general. The rudder has me more concerned than anything. I think I can pick up the blocks off Ebay as we go along.

 

[Merlin Clark]

You could make a replacement for the plastic piece out of starboard. Make a wedge with one layer with a table saw, screw that to a full thickness piece then use a hole saw with the assembly upside down (wedge on bottom) to make the hole for the rudder stock.
You might be able to take up the slack from the worn our rudder bushing with a section of PVC unti you find replacements.

 

[stickboy]

If the plastic piece you're talking about is the cosmetic piece with 4 screws screwed into the deck, that's just cosmetic. If it bothers you, slap some paint on it. D&R can provide all you need for bushings and shims to get the rudder tightened up nicely, it's one of the most rewarding cheapest improvements you can do. But it's a chore to dig the hole to lower the rudder into unless you can do it while in the slings. Youi might do a little shimming between the tiller casting and the rudder head if there is any play there. Sounds like a sweet boat to me!!