Leaking Rudder

[elgringo-inaz]

Hit a large log.  Rudder now leaks bad!  My mechanic tells me that there is a brass plate the rudder seals or mounts too.  He tore it apart and tells me this brass thing is cracked.  Ouch!  Any idea on where to get a new one?  Damn.

[Capt Rick]

Need to replace it and silicone new one. $90. plus about $15. frt.
Capt Rick.

[elgringo-inaz]

Thanks, I know I need to fix it!! haha.  Where do I get a new one?  What kind?  What do I ask for?  Thanks for the help.

[Capt Rick]

email me at boatetrade@aol.com I can order it.

[lesman01]

elgringo-inaz,

I sent you an email about ordering that rudder. Call me if you have any questions.

lesman

[boneil]

I too hit a log, but I thought it only knocked out my speedo.  Now make sense that if it got to speedo must have bounced the rudder as well.  Didn't even see the log on my maiden voyage on the Ohio River.   I now know to avoid river after any significant rain. 

There wasn't a visable crack lage enough for the amount of water coming in.... Large amounts of water!  I sent you an email Capt Rick.  Any help is appreciated!!!

[boneil]

I have ordered a new top and bottom rudder plate assembly for my S22.  Thanks Capt Rick for not letting me order two of them and the basic directions below.  I didn't find any step by step directions so pls. give me any advice...

Changing the Rudder / Rudder Assembly
The rudder port is complete: The top piece and bottom.  MSP0010173 RudderPort,w/BackingPlate,Bronze 17  17  $89.47  $25.00 
 
-Remove egrease fitting
-Remove 4 nuts inside boat
-Remove tiller arm nut then bolt
-Do this on trailer and put boat in water allow rudder to drop out...

I have a couple of conerns here...
The last bullet and if I will need to "caulk" or put any sealant between the plates on the outer hull. 

I noticed after hitting the log that there was a white sealant showing when looking at the bottom rudder plate.   And I'm fine with basic screwing and unscrewing / adjusting.  But I would rather not drive away from my tools near the water to loose my rudder.... hence why I don't want to be far from my tools.  This will limit multiple trips. 

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

Brian

PS I would rather loose my boat mechanic virginity on something above the hull!

[boneil]

Not feeling any love.  Ordered the part.  Thanks Capt Rick.  But current one is intact after pulling it.

Here is a pic of the leak. After only about a minute of putting in water.
http://www.epicmarine.com/epicphotos/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=10046&pos=0

Here is a video looped 3 times
http://www.epicmarine.com/epicphotos/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=10046&pos=1

Will post pics (or attach link) of how to install rudder and plates.  I hope it is correct!

Didn't need to back it into water if pulling the rudder the plates as well.

Reminds me of another problem.  If anyone's steering wheel vibrates when trailering then it is probably due to a loose rudder housing / plates.  This can leak like an SOB.  After 5 min of running with pics above boat would bildge for 90 seconds at least.

If anyone needs a new assembly or if I can return current one for a restocking fee pls let me know.

B

 

 

[boneil]

Disassembled / Reassembled rudder.  Will post pics and procedure I used.

Anyone know what structurally supports the rudder housing other than the two plates and bolts?   Or what torque to use on the bolts? 

Of course now that I'm done....  I'm kind of worried that if I over tightened the bolts it will stress the hull in that area. 

My first repair (hopefully) job.  It was kind of fun actually.

B

[boneil]

Still curious as to the amount of torque to put on the bolts that hold the rudder...

I wrote up a short proceedure with pics in powerpoint (500kb) documenting when I pulled mine....
http://www.onlinefilefolder.com/index.php?action=getshare&type=0&user_num=44110&share_id=141085&hash=e6973efc078bad2734e4be9fd4021960
It took me about an hour from start to finish

I'm now 95% certain that my rudder was leaking b/c the bolts vibrated loose.  I get a wicked vibration through the steering wheel when trailering the boat. 

Hope this helps someone else one day.  Thanks for everyone's help on this site.

If you do review pls. give feedback.   I haven't really worked on boats or cars.  Never typed words such as "cotter pin" so I'm sure there is room for improvement.

Brian

[lesman01]

Cool, thanks boneil, i'll post it in the maintenance section for easy reference...

[masonlk]

Nice job. Very clear and easy to follow. Sorry I can't help with the correct torque. You might want to try calling a couple of different boat dealers and see what they say for their boats. Then average it out. That should at least put you in the ballpark.

[lesman01]

I placed a .pdf in the maintenance section. Thanks to Boneil for documenting this. You get a gold star and have earned your keep.