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Post by rclarke on Dec 20, 2007 0:42:23 GMT
Earlier this year I bought a 5 year old Jeanneau SO43. The survey showed slightly worn rudder bearings so I dropped the rudder when the boat was lifted out.
I immediately noticed corrosion pitting on the rudder stock in the area of the lower rudder bearing and a subsequent inspection by the surveyor showed extensive crevice corrosion and cracking, making the rudder a write off. I checked with the original owner and the rudder has never been grounded.
Research has turned up one SO43 (Zouk) which lost her rudder in mid Atlantic and another one where the rudder stock sheared in the BVI as a result of a fatigue failure.
Does any one else have experience of rudder stock problems on an SO43?
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Post by Zanshin on Dec 20, 2007 19:32:54 GMT
Well, I'm the BVI one and part of me hopes that this isn't a production issue so that nobody else needs to go through this problem. The other half hopes that if it is a common issue we might get some satisfaction from the manufacturer...
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Post by rclarke on Mar 13, 2008 11:38:59 GMT
I am still arguing with Jeanneau about my rudder. Can you please tell me the hull number of Solitaire? I have looked her up in the brokerage adverts but there is no hull number there.
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Post by Zanshin on Mar 13, 2008 16:48:34 GMT
I don't have the hull number available to me here (I'm on a working trip in Germany). But I might be able to get it from the brokerage papers.
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Post by rclarke on Mar 18, 2008 21:21:13 GMT
Two questions from my surveyor. Is the rudder stock on Solitaire connected to the anode system? I know that she has a gen set. Where is that positioned and is it just connected into the 230v panel or does it have an earth system on it as well? As you may have gathered we are gearing up some possible legal action and we want to cover the bases.
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Post by MartyB on Mar 19, 2008 3:25:08 GMT
You may want to take the talking to zan off line via email them, as I am sure, being as this is a site for there boat brand owners, discussing this online, will give them ammo to help them vs you, and ill be one stepp ahead of you!
marty
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Post by Zanshin on Mar 19, 2008 10:05:53 GMT
I agree that it might be best for rclarke to take this offline even though I am not into litigation for what happened to me - unless it can be shown that Jeanneau has not acted in good faith. I can be PM'd at any time. Would it be possible to post a picture of the corrosion on your rudder stock?
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Post by rclarke on Apr 3, 2008 23:40:25 GMT
Jeanneau have now stated that they have never supplied a replacement rudder for an SO43. They certainly supplied one to Zanshin. Does any one know of any others? Here is a picture showing the corrosion pits on my rudder stock  |
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Post by MartyB on Apr 4, 2008 0:44:51 GMT
Zan has a DS version. Do you have the DS or std cockpit SO43? If you have a std so43, then yes, they are telling the truth potentially, in that they have not supplied a rudder to anyone. If you have a DS, and asked about DS's and std SO43's. Then yes, they are fibbing a bit.
So depending upon how you asked etc, they may or may not be correct in there comments.
marty
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Post by Zanshin on Apr 4, 2008 9:58:29 GMT
Marty is right, I have a 43DS (and I will be flying from Europe to the BVI on Monday in order sail it!) and they most certainly did send me a replacement. Both Jeanneau USA and Jeanneau France were involved in that one.
The corrosion in the picture looks worrisome! Although my rudder drifted away, the cracks visible in your picture look to be in exactly the same position as what I had.
If you contact me via PM we can establish mail addresses and I can send you the information you requested.
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Post by rclarke on Aug 26, 2008 22:51:47 GMT
The outcome of all of the above is that Jeanneau took the rudder back to France inspected it and announced that ther was nothing wrong with it. I got a second surveyor's opinion and he condemned the rudder. My insurers refused to cover the boat with the old rudder so I bought a new one. I also fitted Jefa self aligning roller bearings to get away from the lower bearing O ring. These are excellent and have improved the feel on the steering.
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