Michael Paul
Member I
I removed my rudder last night with plans to extend it and reshape it to the cal 40 rudder. Upon removal, I noticed a few things.
The only piece acting as a stop against the rudder falling out is the rudder cap where the tiller can attach. There is no sacrificial washer or bearing in place. The cockpit mount rides directly against the tiller cap. Mine appears to be slightly off and has worn a groove in the upper portion of the cockpit mount, only about 1/8th of an inch. Is this normal/any fixes for less resistance?
There are metal bars between the cockpit floor and the hull of the boat where the steering blocks attach. These are rusted completely where they attach to the hull. What is their purpose? There are also metal bars between the steering block mounts that look like tabs for glassing into the hull. They are also rusted out. I plan to remove the steering block framing and rebed it into the hull. I would remove these flimsy and loose bars between the two. I'll attach pictures at the end.
The rudder is very tight and has no wobble in its post. I plan to add a zerk fitting like many others and inject grease into the rudder post. What material do I use as a gasket between the rudder post and the shaft? Same as a stuffing box? Nothing more modern?
When I add length to the rudder do I also need to stiffen up other structures of the boat? Should I stiffen up the cockpit floor by glassing in layers of coosa or g10 underneath as backing for the 4 bolts? Does the rudder post need 4 triangular supports glassed to it and the hull?
What else should I be doing while its out?
The only piece acting as a stop against the rudder falling out is the rudder cap where the tiller can attach. There is no sacrificial washer or bearing in place. The cockpit mount rides directly against the tiller cap. Mine appears to be slightly off and has worn a groove in the upper portion of the cockpit mount, only about 1/8th of an inch. Is this normal/any fixes for less resistance?
There are metal bars between the cockpit floor and the hull of the boat where the steering blocks attach. These are rusted completely where they attach to the hull. What is their purpose? There are also metal bars between the steering block mounts that look like tabs for glassing into the hull. They are also rusted out. I plan to remove the steering block framing and rebed it into the hull. I would remove these flimsy and loose bars between the two. I'll attach pictures at the end.
The rudder is very tight and has no wobble in its post. I plan to add a zerk fitting like many others and inject grease into the rudder post. What material do I use as a gasket between the rudder post and the shaft? Same as a stuffing box? Nothing more modern?
When I add length to the rudder do I also need to stiffen up other structures of the boat? Should I stiffen up the cockpit floor by glassing in layers of coosa or g10 underneath as backing for the 4 bolts? Does the rudder post need 4 triangular supports glassed to it and the hull?
What else should I be doing while its out?
Attachments
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