[Public-List] Bent Rudder

[Gordon Laco]

Hello Mick - 

I think George's advice is sound.  In my work refitting TOUCH WOOD I have
found that not only is nothing in her square anymore, she's barely
symmetrical.   I am doing my best to nudge her toward where perhaps she once
was but in the end I am making things fit as they need to.  Perhaps your
rudder is that way too.

Gord #426 SURPRISE


On 13/03/11 11:34 AM, "George Dinwiddie" <gdinwiddie at alberg30.org> wrote:

> Michael,
> 
> On 3/12/11 10:54 PM, Michael Taylor wrote:
>> Hi Everyone,
>> 
>> I am having problems aligning the rudder on #231.  Having had several
>> attempts at positioning the rudder post, gudgeon/pintles and lower
>> pin relative to each other, I have been unable to mount the rudder so
>> that it swings freely.
>> 
>> There is a slight bend in the rudder blade which I assumed would
>> straighten as the rudder turned however the bend is placing too big a
>> load on the gudgeon and pintles.  I know now I have to take out the
>> rudder blade bend.
>> 
>> In the summer I attempted to straighten it by sitting a 200lb dead
>> weigtht in the centre of the blade whilst supporting the ends.  After
>> a few days I took the weight off only to have the blade bounce right
>> back to its original bent position.  I attempted this a couple more
>> times but again with no luck.
>> 
>> I am wondering whether anyone has any ideas on a better method for
>> straightening.  Perhaps put a bend into the blade on the opposite
>> direction and glass the outside of the bend so that the new glass is
>> under tension on straightening.  Anyway clutching at straws here as
>> I'm starting to think I may be needing a new rudder.
>> 
>> Suggestions anyone?
> 
> I'm reminded of work I've done in old buildings, and how using a level
> and plum-bob resulted in walls that looked crooked and out of place.  I
> wonder if the rudder would work well enough if you set the gudgeons to
> match where the rudder wants to be rather than trying to align it with
> the stern post and shoe.
> 
> Another thought: Perhaps you could take a photograph looking down the
> leading edge of the rudder (off the boat) and next to a straight edge.
> It might help us understand where is the misalignment.  As always, I'm
> happy to post the photo on the website.
> 
>   - George



 1300032428.0