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Post by mikebz on Mar 10, 2014 16:49:38 GMT
The SO32 we have bought has some rotational play in the rudders - if you get hold of the blade then you can turn it from side-to-side rather more than I would have expected (but I don't know what to expect realistically). The broker had volunteered to have the ball joints replaced and linkages adjusted, but the engineer has been in there and everything is apparently OK. The rudder bearings are fine, and were replaced not that long ago.
Would you expect there to be some play in the rudders?
Mike
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Post by Anwen (Deep Joy) on Mar 10, 2014 22:28:49 GMT
Mike, you don't say whether you have tiller or wheel steering. If it is wheel steering, then it's possible that there is play in the cables between the wheel and quadrant. Otherwise, short of the blade rotating on the stock, I can't think of any obvious reasons if the bearings and linkages are ok.
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Post by mikebz on Mar 11, 2014 7:47:11 GMT
Thanks Jon, it is wheel steering. Are the cables easily accessible to check? I think I'd like to check the linkages/joints etc. myself so any tips on access would be gratefully received.
Thinking about it, the play is separate in each rudder (you can rotate each blade from side to side a little without it affecting the other one), does that mean that it can't be the cables? A diagram of how it all connects together would be useful.
Mike
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Post by mikebz on Mar 12, 2014 14:20:54 GMT
OK, so I've now been to the boat with the engineer who has explained the situation. There is scant access to the starboard hand rudder linkage through a hatch in the back of the cockpit locker, but there isn't any room to get any leverage on nuts etc. The port hand side has no access at all - it probably means dismantling the recessed shelving unit in the aft cabin (which doesn't appear to have any fixings for dismantling) or cutting a hatch underneath it.
They way he explained the linkage is that there is a vertical rod with a horizontal link with a loop in the end which goes over the rod - there is play between the loop and the rod. Short of there being a bush which has disappeared (which he thinks is unlikely) this is the way it is.
I would be interested to know whether anyone else has ever gained access to change parts in the rudder linkage.
Launch Friday, sail home Saturday! Hope this weather holds.
Regards,
Mike
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Post by tedp on Mar 12, 2014 17:26:47 GMT
The recessed unit in the stern cabin can be removed by taking out a few screws. These are behind the horizontal bar across the aperture, and (if I remember correctly) there are two in the top. Take out the screws, fiddle the unit a little, and it will come out. I have done so several times. You'll have a huge space to work in. In addition there is a hatch in the middle of the cabin that can be taken out.
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Post by mikebz on Mar 12, 2014 18:31:05 GMT
Many thanks Ted, I'll take a closer look at that unit.
Would still like to know if some free play in the linkage is normal.
Mike
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Post by tedp on Mar 13, 2014 19:14:41 GMT
I cannot tell you about free play in the linkage, as my boat is a tiller steered fixed keel one, with a single rudder. If you have wheel steering, I'd check the cables first. The linkage itself probably won't have much play, unless a bearing bush has fallen out. The rudders themselves should not have play either.
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