Wobbly rudder

[tobiash93]

I have a Jeanneau 53 from 2010. A month ago we dragged our anchor and got stuck in some corals with the rudder. We managed to get away without to much damage.
Not we are in a boatyard in Vanuatu and we found out our rudder is wobbly, as it can shake especially when you push it from Port side.
We tried to take it out and fix the cracks it got. Today we put it back up and tried to put it higher, but it is still wobbly. We have a new rudder bearing for it, but it looks like it is something on the shaft that is the problem, and we don’t have a spare part for this. Our dealer in Denmark cannot get us anything else than this rudder bearing we already got.
Our mechanic would like to see a full diagram of the rudder and the shaft but we don’t have it in the manual or from the dealer.

Does any of you know about full diagrams about the rudder or what could be the problem and how it could be fixed?

[MalcolmP]

What a nightmare, especially in such a remote, though scenic location.

All I can suggest is email Jeanneau service at: [e-mail]  Include if possible the year of build and the Hull HIN number.

They will respond to requests in either French or English. Don't know what time it is where you are, but obviously they are closed from later this afternoon French time for the weekend.

Good luck and please keep the board updated.

Malcolm

[MalcolmP]

Not sure if you have these drawings in your manual, but might help....

This is the link to the full manual download: 
www.jeanneau-owners.com/Manuals/JY%2053%20Owners%20Manual%20English.pdf












Hope it helps... Malcolm

[loredo]

Mine is a 57 from 2015, from the schematics your rudder system SEEMS very similar to mine.  Thus, take anything I'm saying with a grain of salt.  My rudder was also "wobbly".  The bottom of the rudder could be moved about 2cm side to side.  MY boat, the problem was due to an incorrect install from the dealer when the boat was commissioned. They used Sikaflex instead of a structural glue to install the two bushings and the self-aligning bearing on the top.  Needless to say that the Sikaflex wasn't able to withstand the forces transmitted from the rudder to the bushings. The bushings were loose... 

So, there are: one bushing (bearing) where the rudder enters the hull, another one further up and then finally the self-aligning bearing on the top  (under the quadrant).  If those are not perfectly "glued" in, the rudder moves.  Maybe, after having hit the coral those bushings and bearing only broke the bond and simply need to be "glued" back in?  Jeanneau recommends a methacrylate resin for installation of the bushings. I do still have the instructions I was able to get from Jeanneau how to install those rudders.  They're in French if you want them send me a PM with your E-Mail address.

[Zanshin]

I replace my rudder bearings on a Jeanneau 57 as well, under warranty. The J53 diagrams looks very similar to what is used on the J57