[C320-list] Excessive Rudder Spacing

[David Gleason]

Kevin:

I think there is some confusion here.  The rudder shaft does not have a
seal to prevent water from entering the rudder tube.  The spacers are not
involved in keeping water out.  The rudder tube is a water tight tube
fiber glassed into the boat.  I suspect the rudder is hollow, or filled
with a foam material that causes it to float up against the hull.  The
spacers are there to prevent it from coming in contact with the hull as
you mention.  There is no reason to change the number of spacers.

Dave Gleason
Proud Mary, #150


On Wed, 7 Mar 2007 12:08:34 -0600 "Uckert, Kevin"
<Kevin.Uckert at unisys.com> writes:
> Between the top of the rudder and the boat bottom are three clear
> plastic discs which wrap around the exterior rudder post. This  
> provides
> the necessary spacing to prevent contact with the rudder top and 
> boat
> bottom. 
> 
> My boat has additional spacing as these discs move freely between 
> top of
> rudder and boat bottom. I suspect this is where a slight leak is 
> coming
> from. 
> 
> Can anyone suggest a fix to correct this issue short of dropping 
> the
> rudder and installing an additional spacer disc? I'm thinking
> of a packing gland material, not sure if I'm missing something more
> obvious.
> 
> I have already tightened up the rudder post collar but has not 
> improved
> much.
> 
> Thanks in advance for your help.
>  
> Kevin
> 
>