[C320-list] Another Rudder Shim Question

[Steve Walker]

Joe,

A couple more questions for you. Planning to do the top this weekend and want to make sure I've got everything I need before heading out.

When you placed the top shims did you remove the bolt and the collar, or were you able to slide the shims in with those items in place?

If you removed the bolt and collar while in the water did you need to secure the rudder post to prevent it from dropping?

Thanks,
Steve
________________________________
From: Steve Walker <amainepe at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 2:27:46 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Another Rudder Shim Question

Thanks Joe. Just what I needed to know.
________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Joe Geiger <joe.geiger at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 12:56:47 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Another Rudder Shim Question

Hi Steve,

Having just done the repair myself you’ll be able to do the deck one in the water but you’ll need to drop the rudder a bit to do the bottom hull one.

I suppose if you had a mask and a way to breath while under water you could probably do the bottom one in the water but it will be easier on the hard. You could also pay for a short haul. It only took about 30 min to drop the rudder about 6 in and install the shim so you could do it in the slings.

I put shims in the top one while in the water last season and it helped but did not entirely eliminate the thud.

Good luck.

Joe
--
Joe Geiger
joe.geiger at gmail.com
(978) 852-6744

> On Jun 23, 2020, at 10:59 AM, Steve Walker <amainepe at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> All,
>
> I'm a new member of the group so I apologize for starting a new thread on
> this topic, but I wasn't able to respond to a prior post on this topic.
>
> My wife and I are proud owners of Hull #865. We're newer sailors, but have
> very much enjoyed the last 3 seasons with the boat.
>
> My question for the group relates to the rudder shims mentioned in other
> posts. I'm pretty sure we're experiencing some wear in the fiberglass tube
> that supports the rudder post.  We are getting a lot of vibration on points
> of sail where there is little pressure on the rudder. We also notice a
> knocking sound when turning the wheel while on our mooring.  From other
> posts I understand a temporary fix is to slide pieces of a milk jug or
> pieces of mylar down between the rudder post and the fiberglass post.  My
> question is this:
>
> Can this be done with the boat in the water?  If so, how do you get the
> shims down past the brass packing assembly?  Can I take the
> packing assembly off while in the water and slide the shims down and then
> replace the packing assembly?
>
> Thanks in advance for any input.  Again, apologies for starting a new
> rudder thread.
>
> Steve
> #865
> Freeport, Maine