'Clunky' Sound in Rudder

[sneuman]

Was at the helm of a friend's Ericson 38 yesterday and kept hearing a clunking sound under my feet especially if I turned the wheel quickly. I crawled down and looked at the quadrant, which by way of a cursory inspection, looked good and did not appear to be slipping. On the Ericson, there's a fiberglass (?) tube that channels the rudder post and the clunking sound appeared to be coming from that.

We're planning a trip in about three weeks aboard said boat, including a 30-hour offshore passage.

Is this something to be concerned about?

[DeepFrz]

Yes...

[Blue Stocking]

On my old C&C that indicated wear on the rudder stalk bronze bushings at the top and bottom of the f/glass tube

[sneuman]

could you be more specific? thanks blue - that's what I was thinking.

[DeepFrz]

No! I could be more effusive, but not more specific.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by sneuman

could you be more specific? thanks blue - that's what I was thinking.

The fiberglass tube usually extends above the waterline with a seal of some sort at the top. That tube may be fitted with bronze, or some synthetic bushings or sleeves at the top and bottom of such a thickness as to provide clearance along most of the rudder stalk height. Eventually those bushings wear, generally athwartships due to sailing side loads on the rudder. Go over the side and shake the rudder, it should be noticable, At least, mine was. Good luck

[sneuman]

presumably this needs to be fixed out of the water ...?

[forsailbyowner]

Mine has done the same thing for 5 yrs now. There's a total of about 1/8" wear that still leaves an inch of metal on the lower bushing. Depending on the construction it may or may not be an issue of immediate concern. My next haulout I'm going to tackle it.

[Northeaster]

My boat has a top bearing in the cockpit, and a lower (skeg hung) pintle/gudgeon that supports it. I do not have any bushings in the rudder tube, and other's may not as well. If it is a spade rudder (not skeg-hung) it likely does.

I would agree with the poster who said to go over the side and check for play in the rudder. Have someone hold the wheel tight while you try to tug the rudder back and forth, forward and aft. Would be much easier to check on land, but if you can feel alot of play in the rudder / bushings, I would be concerned.