[Public-List] corroded rudder

[Gordon Laco]

yes, I’m learning a lot

Gordon Laco
www.gordonlaco.com




> On Mar 13, 2021, at 10:57 AM, John Birch via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
> This is a very interesting discussion. Those photos, experiences, and tables in the link are terrific.
> 
> - JB
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Public-List [mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of George Dinwiddie via Public-List
> Sent: March 12, 2021 11:07 PM
> To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org
> Cc: George Dinwiddie
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] corroded rudder
> 
> There are probably some differences between a 1967 rudder and a 1972 
> rudder. See 
> http://www.alberg30.org/maintenance/Steering/RudderVarieties/ and 
> http://www.alberg30.org/maintenance/Steering/RudderVarieties/Checkmate220Rudder/
> 
>  - George
> 
> On 3/12/21 8:39 PM, David Scherrer via Public-List wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> I rebuilt my 1967 boats rudder just about a month ago. Not too difficult but does involve a little bit of lifting and impact hammer work….
>> 
>> You will not have to drop the rudder/shaft from the boat in order to remove the rudder itself. This a very unique design that Alberg came up with.
>> The shaft coming down from the tiller is solid bronze bent around the top leading edge and only extends down about 2 ft of the rudder, attached by a series of five counter sunk, large bronze threaded bolts.
>> Angle/turn the rudder as far as you can and brace to get to the bolts, then use intact hammer to loosen the slotted bolts. Probably have to remove a fair amount of paint and glass filler. You will have to replace the bolts as they are slotted and its very hard to avoid damaging the heads.
>> 
>> The pin joint half way down is just like a hinge on a door in many ways. The pin was worn on mine so I replaced with a shortened carriage bronze bolt (cut off the threads). Also ground down the squared section at the top of carriage bolt below cap to make round, easy to do..
>> You will have to remove the unit in order to get to the pin, Do this same time as removing the upper bolts from rudder..
>> 
>> The bottom shoe does have a pin in the base that can be easily replace once you lift the rudder off. I do recommend replacing the large bolt in the bottom shoe that is screwed into the keel as well.
>> 
>> Use epoxy with silicon micro ballons with all your replacement bolts both for the five above and one in the shoe.This will greatly improve the threads grip.
>> The nuts and bolts in the hinge were in fine shape on my boat so I used them again.
>> 
>> I do recommend investing in a impact hammer..it will make a world of difference. Also a decent ratchet set.
>> 
>> The rudder on my boat was a solid fiberglass material, kinda like Bondo. The bronze bolts were simply threaded into this material..made me little nervous, thus the adding of micro balloons.
>> 
>> This is a fairly robust rudder system. It would take a lot for a complete failure in my opinion. But some rudders were made from solid wood, other a mix and others all glass and resin.
>> 
>> I'm in the North West if thats helpful.
>> 
>> Feel free to ask any questions…I would like to be helpful if I can.
>> 
>> David S.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Mar 12, 2021, at 4:11 PM, Stephen Gwyn via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> There's a lot of slop in the middle fitting.
>>> 
>>> Underway, it's more of a clunk when I tack and the load shifts
>>> to the other side. When this happened 15 years ago, it was fixed by
>>> putting a bushing in the shoe.
>>> 
>>> The yard is also not convinced there isn't more corrosion a long the shaft.
>>> They reluctantly recommending rebuilding the rudder.
>>> Reluctantly, because they're extremely busy right now and don't need extra work.
>>> 
>>> While a lot of the sailing I do is in light wind, I do seem to end up
>>> pounding through 4 foot waves a few times a year. I've never fussed
>>> about the boat breaking. Knowing I've lost that much metal a
>>> key spot will not make me calm.
>>> 
>>> SG
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>> 
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> 
> -- 
>  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
>   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
>   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
>   So many I love were not yet born.                          also see:
>                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com
>  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
> 
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