[Public-List] Play in rudder at rudder shoe

[Glenn P]

Until about 60 years of age, my alberg, Dolce, 1968 build, had no noticeable play in the rudder, while out of the water.  But, once in a seaway, running downwind in a deep reach  and a following sea, with brisk winds on the quarter,  the rudder started vibrating  like crazy.  The pin at the bottom of rudder post had finally wallowed the rudder shoe, and was just sloppy loose in the shoe. The pin was worn badly undersized and the rudder shoe ID was wallowed out oversized.  

I took the shoe and rudder off the boat.  Drilled the rudder shoe socket out to 5/8” diameter and drilled and tapped the bottom of the rudder post to accept a bronze 5/8” diameter threaded bolt. Cut off the head of the bronze bolt and used the smooth shank to seat in the new, enlarged rudder shoe seat.  Dave, the current owner says it’s  been good ever since. 

There is plenty of “meat” in the rudder shoe to drill out the original 1/2” ID pin to accept an oversized bolt.  

Typically, machining standards for bolt holes require the shoulder of a hole to be at least the diameter of the bolt, inside the edge of the work. Plenty of room in the bronze shoe casting for enlarging the pivot pin.  Be sure to use a silica bronze/naval bronze style bolt to minimize any galvanic reaction problems with the bronze shaft.

Glenn P. 
Sent from my iPad

> On Oct 19, 2024, at 2:54 PM, Wade Wall via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I pulled my boat a few weeks ago and checked the rudder. Everything feels
> solid, but there is some slight play at the rudder shoe. Not 1/2 inch play
> as some have talked about, just slight play. I can't feel it in the rudder
> and it doesn't affect the pintle. I didn't notice it 3 years ago when I
> bought the boat and wondering if I need to pull the shoe or wait until next
> haul out. The shoe is rock solid, as is the pintle. Just curious if others
> have any play, or if any play is bad. Thanks for any advice.
> 
> Wade Wall
> Sophie #421
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