450: Movement in rudder on stock

[anthonyp0808]

Hi

I recently purchased 2015 Lagoon 450. When I had it surveyed, the surveyor mentioned there was a little play on the port rudder - he gave it a good shake! No play on the starboard rudder.

He said this is not something to be concerned about, and probably delivered like that when new. However, he said I should have it look at some time - not urgent.

Has anybody else's 450 had a similar issue? If so, what is the fix?

[CSY Man]

Had it on a mono hull, it was bad news, had to get a new rudder.
Salt water had corroded the internal metal parts until failure.

[anthonyp0808]

The boats is just 18 months old? Surely not corroded already? If so, I would hope it is covered under warranty.

[leftbrainstuff]

Any play is cause for concern. Are these adjustable for play or should the rudder be pretensioned on this model?

You mentioned the other rudder has no detectable play. Might be worth a more detailed inspection. Are you feeling freeplay, flex or movement?

[Gradient]

We have a 450 and had the same issue as did another 450 in the yard. I was told a small amount of play, 1-2mm was ok but more than that should be taken care of. The fix is easy but you need to be out of the water to pull the rudders. Lagoon have a procedure but in short you drop the rudder, on the post is a brass sleeve that is expanded or contracted to take up any gap between post and the tube. You set the right size by setting it on the post and pulling it tight (the sleeve is slotted) and holding the size with tape. You then smear adhesive on the outside of the sleeve (type recommended by Lagoon) and glue it back into the rudder post tube. This will have removed any gap you had there. The other issue could be the bearing at the top (white nylon visible on top go the stock) and this will be evident if the play is at the top (grab the post and see if there is play. These are also available from lagoon.

[oldsalt_1942]

A little 420 and you won't care about the 450...

[Emerald Sea]

Our 450 also has 1-2mm of horizontal play. This has not changed since new and following 20k nm. Lagoon's technician advised me this is normal. Check you haven't any vertical play - hard to do unless your on the hard, but this is more concerning.

[onavegador]

I would be not sure that you have understood your surveyor correcct, if I may ask so?
In my opinion a little play in the bearings of the stock is normal, but I would not accept play between the rudder it self and the stock.

As mentioned above from other CF members the latter is of concern as water penetrates along the stock and will over time desroy the rudder moulding and the metal parts.

[anthonyp0808]

Movement was left and right, not up and down. There is now water ingress into the bilges.

[anthonyp0808]

"now water ingress" should be "NO water ingress into bilges"

Attached are schematics of the rudder arrangements.

On my previous comment, I can't be sure there is no up and down movement as we didn't test that.