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Bummer

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 9:07 pm
by Paul
Memorial day sail with a sailing club I will join. Middle of the lake the rudder became unresponsive. Dropped sails and motored back - tiller head cracked. Looks like I overtightened the pinch nut making a fulcrum point at the 90 degree location. Now, where to find a block of 2 X 2 X 4" aluminum to fabricate another....

Other than that it was a great sail!

Paul

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 5:59 am
by Bhacurly
Paul,

I cracked mine last year and took it in to a welding shop and had it repaiired. So far so good.

If you fab a new, and improved version, I would be interested in getting one also if for a C-22. I could keep the repaired one as a spare...

Billy

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 6:04 am
by CaptainScott
WOW!

Hope you do find a fix! Well, a reasonably priced fix anyway!

Scott

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 9:40 pm
by Paul
An online search shows a 2 X 2 X 4" piece of aluminum would only run around $20. Not bad. I can fabricate everything from there except I have nothing to bore the 1 1/2" hole for the rudder shaft.

For the novelty of it I've thought of making one out of rock maple with a through bolt rather than the keyway system used on the original. Either way I hope to knock this out quickly and get back to the water!

Paul

Bummer - cracked rudder head

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 10:23 pm
by Paul
Got enough 2" square aluminum to make 4 rudder heads for $27. Began drilling pilot holes for the 1 1/2" post holes this evening. Asked the guy at the aluminum shop what they used to lubricate their saws when they cut aluminum - deisel fuel! Turns out I can bore the hole with a simple hole saw and drill press. Let aluminum chips fly!

Paul

Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:12 am
by Chrysler20%26
thanks Paul, good to know info.

Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 3:33 am
by Beady
Paul:

Take some pictures and document the process. I would be interested in case I have to make one some time in the future.

thanks

brian