[C320-list] C320 Rudder Play

[Peter Clancy]

Thanks Bruce, will be anxious to to know what remedies they come up with. I've heard about the epoxy fill solution but, not knowing if there was a bearing at the base of the fiberglass tube, didn't know if it might be an option. Sure hope they know of a good release agent, I can't imagine the horror of gluing the rudder shaft tightly inside of that tube! 

Peter Clancy
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bruce Heyman<mailto:BruceHeyman at cox.net> 
  To: 'C320-List'<mailto:c320-list at catalina320.com> 
  Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 12:46 PM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] C320 Rudder Play


  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.org>
  [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.org>
  [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