Clunking noise from rudder :(

[stevensuf]

My rudder has started making a clunking noise as the boat rolls from side to side, i can see the top of the rudder stock move slightly from side to side, I am guessing there are some sort of bearings on the shaft that are worn.

Im sitting in ibiza just now, too expensive to lift out here, can anyone suggest a cheap lift out in majorca? or is that hoping for too much? Im also wondering how big a job it is to replace the bearings and just how dangerous is it to continue with the bearings wobbling as it is?

cheers for any help.

[atoll]

on the mainland almiramar is probably the most reasonable,i have hauled out at palma yacht club (palma de mallorca),but wouldnt know current prices.
though very good services locally available there,you could easily have new bushes made up in palma.

your rudder wont fall off! should be 2 or 3 nylon/teflon bearings if a spade type rudder.

contact details herein palma
http://www.audaxmarina.com/en/varadero.html

[stevensuf]

cheers alex, we passed stopped in almerimar on the way up, got robbed anchored outside mar menor, got well drunk fell asleep without clearing the cockpit, 2 cameras, handheld radio and handheld gps gone, bstards!!! The funny thing was it took us 3 days to realise as we both assumed each other had tidied them away.

Trying to get a bit more west before turning around, Hoping to minimise the time out of the water, it is a spade rudder, just no idea what kind of bearings.

[atoll]

best get on to gibsea website and get the dimentions and material specs,any machine shop can make them up,normally they are 2 teflon tubes and a couple of washers at the top.
you may have to drop the rudder in the slings before getting propped up,so best to have the quadrant etc dismantled whilst in the travellift dock.

also found that running a line under the rudder from the cockpit winches to support when dropping or lifting it in place helps

[stevensuf]

I will email dufour, they took over gib sea and this boat was built by them i think... gibsea as a company no longer exists, im sure the rudder is the same as the dufour 425 so there may be a possibility of buying ready made ones... maybe!!

[atoll]

Originally Posted by stevensuf

I will email dufour, they took over gib sea and this boat was built by them i think... gibsea as a company no longer exists, im sure the rudder is the same as the dufour 425 so there may be a possibility of buying ready made ones... maybe!!

best of luck!
palma is going to be your best bet if you need stuff made up

[stevensuf]

Cheers alex.. nb enjoyed your barge blog, one different experience!

[daddle]

My old Cal had a simple stainless steel shaft thru a layed up tube. No real bearings. When it wore out on a cruise I shoved in shims made from flexible plastic cutting sheets. A galley item. Cut, wrap, insert. Lasted several years.