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Old 27-05-2018, 03:54   #1
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Wiggly rudder

What’s considered a normal amount of wiggle on a rudder?

I have a 2006 Beneteau Oceanis 50 (aka 49 in America). It’s on the hard right now (first time under my ownership) and I gave the rudder a little shake to check the bearing. The rudder moves about 3 mm where it comes out of the hull and makes a thumping noise. Is this just the normal working of a (self-aligning) bearing?

I remember some wiggle room on my smaller, previous boats but no thumping noise when wiggling the rudder. If it weren’t for the sound, I would probably not ask.

Any insights would be appreciated. The rudder stock in this Bene 50 is fiberglass and probably about 160 mm in diameter. If memory serves me right my previous boats all had stainless stocks.

Thanks
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Old 27-05-2018, 05:27   #2
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Re: Wiggly rudder

I would be concerned. Little wiggle can quickly turn into big wiggle as wear is accelerated by any loosness. I'm assuming that it has top and bottom bearings. I'd drop it and replace both before any major trip, that's for sure.

Was on a boat with a spade rudder on a long passage when we noticed play . It increased noticeably during the trip. Once it starts, it just gets worse and worse and faster than you'd think.
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Old 27-05-2018, 06:18   #3
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Re: Wiggly rudder

3mm is a fair amount of movement. With 3mm at the shaft, I'm guessing there is close to 3cm of movement at the bottom of the rudder.

If it was my boat, I would look into replacing the rudder bearing (bushing).
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Old 27-05-2018, 06:35   #4
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Re: Wiggly rudder

If it is anything like the Bene473 rudder, this thread might help.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...nt-157870.html
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Old 27-05-2018, 08:33   #5
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Re: Wiggly rudder

You need a new lower rudder bearing. There should be virtually zero play. I just went through this. The lower bearing was spinning in the hull. The bearing and shaft somehow had sand embedded and froze the bearing to the rudder shaft.
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Old 27-05-2018, 10:13   #6
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Re: Wiggly rudder

Thanks for the replies so far. I have one small problem which is that the yard I’m in can’t lift the boat high enough to drop the rudder... but we’ll find a way.

Meanwhile, looking for information on the topic on the internet I suddenly went “Ow!”

https://beneteaufailures.wordpress.c...eau-inquiries/

and

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...neteau.157753/

and

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ea-114018.html


But now at least I know what to expect before taking the thing apart, which are just an upper and lower bushing.
And I guess I need to do that bulkhead reinforcement job too.
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Old 04-06-2018, 08:12   #7
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Re: Wiggly rudder

Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel1 View Post
If it is anything like the Bene473 rudder, this thread might help.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...nt-157870.html
The rudder is out and for other’s future reference, my 2006 Beneteau Oceanis 50 (aka 49 in USA) has exactly the same construction method as in the document about the 473 referenced in the thread above. Thanks!

Now to find that glue. I can’t find “5230 polyurethane glue” online. Wrote to 3M, assuming its theirs, and am waiting for a reply.
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Old 04-06-2018, 08:15   #8
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Re: Wiggly rudder

If you can't lift the boat can you dig a hole in the ground under the rudder?
If so, drop the rudder into the new hole.
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Old 04-06-2018, 08:30   #9
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Re: Wiggly rudder

I'm pretty sure we used Sikoflex 291i when refitting the bushing.
Four years on and still holding up OK
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Old 04-06-2018, 09:13   #10
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Re: Wiggly rudder

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Originally Posted by nigel1 View Post
I'm pretty sure we used Sikoflex 291i when refitting the bushing.
Four years on and still holding up OK
Did you follow the procedure as outlined in that Beneteau document, with a hose clamp at the end of the bushing that you remove at the last moment when shoving the rudder back in? Or did you have to wing it another way?
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Old 04-06-2018, 10:13   #11
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Re: Wiggly rudder

Used cable ties and slid them off as the bushing was pushed back into place.
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