Procedure for rudder dropping
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 3:45 pm
Hey y'all. I'm going to drop the rudders when I haul next week, so I can inspect the bearings and fiberglass.
I have managed to loosen and re-tighten the 4 bolts on each side that hold the quadrant parts to the rudder. That wasn't too bad, since the boat has only seen fresh water.
Simon Slater mentioned that there is a "safety bolt" that goes through the quadrant parts, to keep the rudder from falling in the water if all else fails.
That bolt is narrower and dead center between the 4 bolts that hold the quadrant on the rudder. It's head is covered with what seems like 4200. I used a razor blade and cut away the 4200 and it's a Phillips head which I can get to turn on the port side (starboard side is too tight). When I turn the Phillips head nothing happens.
This is not completely surprising, since Simon said that the bolt goes through a larger diameter hold in the rudder and doesn't thread on anything. It's really just acting as a pin.
So next week, I intend to get the boat on the crane. Then while it's in the slings, loosen the 4 bolts on each side. Hopefully I can then push the "pin" (which is really a bolt) out and drop the rudders from the crane (with help from below).
Does that make sense?
Thanks,
Brendan
I have managed to loosen and re-tighten the 4 bolts on each side that hold the quadrant parts to the rudder. That wasn't too bad, since the boat has only seen fresh water.
Simon Slater mentioned that there is a "safety bolt" that goes through the quadrant parts, to keep the rudder from falling in the water if all else fails.
That bolt is narrower and dead center between the 4 bolts that hold the quadrant on the rudder. It's head is covered with what seems like 4200. I used a razor blade and cut away the 4200 and it's a Phillips head which I can get to turn on the port side (starboard side is too tight). When I turn the Phillips head nothing happens.
This is not completely surprising, since Simon said that the bolt goes through a larger diameter hold in the rudder and doesn't thread on anything. It's really just acting as a pin.
So next week, I intend to get the boat on the crane. Then while it's in the slings, loosen the 4 bolts on each side. Hopefully I can then push the "pin" (which is really a bolt) out and drop the rudders from the crane (with help from below).
Does that make sense?
Thanks,
Brendan