Rudder rope replacement
Rudder rope replacement
Douse anyone have a photo/video/description of the rudder rope replacement? ----1978 26 foot. ---- My boat is in the water.----- Can I tighten the bolt holding the rudder on so it does not float up? ---- Thanks guys!------- Black Hills of South Dakota, Pactola Lake.
Re: Rudder rope replacement
Greg
My boat Brigadoon is a 26 Chrysler. I have done some work and modifications on it including the rudder. I am pretty sure just tightening the bolt will not work. When you start motoring or sailing the force on the rudder is substantial. I do have a suggestion for replacing the rope while in the water but you will have to be real careful with the hardware. If there is any rope still in the tube tie a messenger line to remain in the tube while you then remove the rudder and take it topside. ( It would be very difficult to replace the rope in place even with scuba gear). Look in the documents section on this site for a diagram on the rope connections . Install the new ropes as shown. Reinstall the rudder by first tieing the new ropes to the messenger line and pulling them up through the tube then rebooting the rudder in place. The rudder floating up is a problem with the design that many have complained of. I cut two three in. Dia. Circles out of the lower end of my rudder and poured in 11 lb of molten tire wts. Then re glassed and faired te rudder to original thickness. The rudder now floats vertical just below the surface in my pool. I sail in the Puget Sound WA and the solution works great. The other solution wold be to drill a second hole in the cheek plate to keep the rudder permanently in the down position. I do not recommend this ! If you do want to do this you must seal the penetration you drill or the rudder will absorb water and ruin it. Sealing any damage that cracks or pierces the fiberglass will likewise result in the foam absorbing water. I hope this helps.
Rick , SV Brigadoon
My boat Brigadoon is a 26 Chrysler. I have done some work and modifications on it including the rudder. I am pretty sure just tightening the bolt will not work. When you start motoring or sailing the force on the rudder is substantial. I do have a suggestion for replacing the rope while in the water but you will have to be real careful with the hardware. If there is any rope still in the tube tie a messenger line to remain in the tube while you then remove the rudder and take it topside. ( It would be very difficult to replace the rope in place even with scuba gear). Look in the documents section on this site for a diagram on the rope connections . Install the new ropes as shown. Reinstall the rudder by first tieing the new ropes to the messenger line and pulling them up through the tube then rebooting the rudder in place. The rudder floating up is a problem with the design that many have complained of. I cut two three in. Dia. Circles out of the lower end of my rudder and poured in 11 lb of molten tire wts. Then re glassed and faired te rudder to original thickness. The rudder now floats vertical just below the surface in my pool. I sail in the Puget Sound WA and the solution works great. The other solution wold be to drill a second hole in the cheek plate to keep the rudder permanently in the down position. I do not recommend this ! If you do want to do this you must seal the penetration you drill or the rudder will absorb water and ruin it. Sealing any damage that cracks or pierces the fiberglass will likewise result in the foam absorbing water. I hope this helps.
Rick , SV Brigadoon