rudders and steering feel

[BobCT]

I accidentally discovered something as a result of bending my rudder and removing it.

On the mid cabin at least, there's an access panel which covers each rudder post on the stern. If you haven't taken them off to clean the SS posts, I would recommend doing that the next time the boat is out.

I did this on both sides and added a nylon bushing on top of the rudder where it connects to the tiller arm. There was a bushing insert from the factory but there wasn't much left after all of these years. For the most part, the tiller arm was rotating on the fiberglass.

I rebuilt my pump over the winter and while that stopped the leak, the steering was still a little notchy and the first turn of the day felt like it was binding up.

Now it's so smooth I'll actually have to re-learn the steering to get the right feel and I only did this on one side. I'll do the other side when it comes out in the fall.

The other steering upgrade I did over the winter was re-bushing the tiller arm to strut connection by over drilling and adding a Delrin bushing. This eliminated at least an inch of play in the wheel.

Shoot me an email if you want more details.


Bob

[S.A.M.]

Bob, you're either retired or you don't sleep.

[BobCT]

no, not retirement age yet but I was between jobs late winter/spring which freed up a LOT of time. It was perfect timing and since most of the "cost" was labor I was able to get a lot done.

I probably won't have that much free time again for a while so catch me now while I still remember everything