[C320-list] loose rudder post & bent shaft

[Jeff Church]

Arthur,

I think Ken is right. Years ago some friends and I attempted to straighten the rudder post on a Seidelmann 299.  We used a mainsheet block and tackle which we tied to a neighboring boat's cradle. We applied about as much tension as the rope could withstand and the rudder still didn't end up being perfectly straight. I'd guess that the Seidelmann's post was much smaller than the Catalina's, so I'm doubtful that it could be done to your boat without damaging the fiberglass tube.

Good luck.

Jeff    
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: STINKIN GRINGO 
  To: argates2nd at earthlink.net ; C320-List 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:59 PM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] loose rudder post & bent shaft


  Arthur
  I bend steel for a living,and I have tried this already for a customer.
  All your doing with the come along is bending the fiberglass tube not
  the rudder post.The post is 1/4 inch thick and where it's bent it is
  near impossible to straighten even in a 100 ton vertical press .You
  can't fixture it in a press because the rudder itself will crush .I
  suggest you call your insurance company and buy a new one. Ken Bousum #
  711