Rudder repair

[ebisucapt]

I bought an Admiral 38 Catamaran and it ended up having bad rudder bearings. Just looking in to some insight as to what I have in front of me to deal with. Rudders are one area I Am sorely missing any knowledge of Greg

[Dave852]

Not so bad, drop rudders, pound out the top and bottom bearings, (you may get away with just replacing the bottom as they wear out first), buy some plastic (something that does not asorb water) https://www.vesconite.com/ vesconite is best, take to machine shop along with rudder and have them make new ones. Install new bearings, then install rudders.

[Paul L]

Depends a lot on how the rudder system was built. Does it have real bearings or just bushings, how the rudder tube are done, shaft material, etc.
Web page that might be of interest
Replacing the rudder bearings on a 39 foot Catamaran |

[MartinR]

As previously posted, rudder bearings are not a big deal. But easier to do with the boat out of the water and blocked high enough to be able to drop the rudders.

[Perfect Ride]

Couple pointers from my experience:
Can help to mark strait center mark on rudder post prior to disassembly.
Prior to dropping rudder check other bearing for play and replace if any.

Bearing will be ok with either Vesonite Hilube or Delrin.

Unless you have a quality micrometer, it might save a few trips back and forth to get the machinist visit the boat. A snug, no-play, fit is what you want.

Use LanoCote between stainless post and any aluminum arms to help with corrosion.

Cost for bearing material should be minimal ~US$30 depending on country, machining time is small too with right equipment and machinist.

Hope this helps