[C320-list] C320 Rudder Play

[Bruce Heyman]

Peter,
While continuing to try to sort out the stanchion replacement I was talking
to the technical rep here in CA (by the way they sure do seem to have a
strange parts ordering process).

There are no bearings for the rudder shaft, only a stuffing box at the top
of the fiberglass tube.  Technical support is sending me something that
explains how to take some of the play out as the tube wears.  She verbally
described a process where you fill the tube with epoxy and another process
where you use shims.  I will publish whatever I get from them.

Bruce
Somerset 671 SoCal

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Heyman
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 9:05 PM
To: 'C320-List'
Subject: Re: [C320-list] C320 Rudder Play

Peter,

I tried to figure this out this afternoon when we were down at the boat.  At
the top of the rudder shaft glassed into the hull there is a brass fitting
that looks like a combination bearing and stuffing box.  Mine had green
stuffing oozing out.  Thought it was grease but felt more like wax.  There
did not seem to be any adjustments or grease zerks. There is nothing at the
bottom of the shaft log that is accessible from the inside, so if there is a
bearing as the shaft enters the hull it must be accessible from the outside.
That said when I was doing the bottom paint it looked perfectly fair around
the rudder shaft.

Looks like there is another bearing glassed into the deck which is visible
from the aft port lazarette and from the emergency tiller access port. Again
I did not see any way to make any adjustments or any grease zerks.
Have you been successful in finding anything?

Bruce
Somerset 671 SoCal

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Peter Clancy
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 1:26 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: [C320-list] C320 Rudder Play

When last hauled for a bottom job I found some play where the rudder post
enters the hull. Does anyone know if there is a rudder bearing located at
the base of the rudder shaft or does it simply enter the shaft? I believe
boats might be configured either way. Better yet, has anyone already dealt
with this problem and how was it resolved. Thanks.

Peter Clancy
AROBAN  C320  #222
Miami, FL