[Public-List] Rudder repair

[Stephen Gwyn]

Here are some pictures from my recent rudder repair:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/s6QLQJaTxXJA1Qsg9

There was substantial wear and dezincification in several places.

In my boat (1972, #495), there are 3 separate parts, much like the 
diagrams at:
http://www.alberg30.org/maintenance/Steering/RudderPost/

The pins coming out the post are soldered in place. They're
pretty flimsy. For the bottom 2 parts (the mid-point bearing and
the pin at the foot), they're just there to hold the part to the
rudder. For the upper rudder stock, the torsional strength (the
ability to turn the rudder by turning the tiller) comes from the
fact the piece is bent, not from the pins. In the original version
the midpoint bearing was offset 1/8" out of column compared to the
other two parts. I'm guessing this is because it's made out of 3/4"
stock and whoever built my rudder was having an off day and aligned the
edges, rather than the centres of the pieces.

The rudder post had a keyway cut into the shaft below decks, in case the
wheel steering option was wanted.

My rudder had a clam shell zinc installed in the middle of the rudder.
It was through bolted, but not connected to any metal. I'm not sure why it
was there. It's gone and the hole filled.

As you can see from the pictures, everything was ground out and
rebuilt in stainless then glassed back in. The midpoint gudgeons
and the shoe (which were also worn) had some bronze welded back on
and then were machined to match the stainless parts.

George, I would you like to add these pictures to alberg30.org?
The old bits are sitting on my workbench if you need more pictures.
I can also write more text if wanted.

SG