[Public-List] Rudder Post Leak

[Meinhold, Michael J.]

This spring I started seeing a slow leak from the exit of the rudder
post in the cockpit. This only occurred when I was moving at least 5
knots, under sail or power.

My boat is #272, and has no stuffing box, the rudder stock passing
through a glassed-in tube, then through a built-up pad on the cockpit
deck. The stock has about 1/4 inch clearance in the tube, but passes
through a collar screwed into the built-up pad. The clearance between
the rudder stock and this collar is quite tight.  The collar is attached
to the pad with three screws.

I presume that at speed she can build up hydroynamic pressure sufficient
to raise the water 2 feet or so, and only the collar prevents it from
shooting up into the cockpit. Perhaps there was some sealant around the
collar that has broken down.

At our annual Maintenance Weekend this past weekend, a panel of experts
examined the situation and reccomended injecting silicone sealant at the
top of the tube and around the base of the collar. This we did and are
letting it set up before testing.

I may need to refill the screw holes with epoxy because I don't feel it
the collar is secure enough.

Anyone one else deal with this?

Mike