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earbuilder · 01-01-2018, 11:49

I am shopping for a used Hallberg Rassy 31. First one I checked had a tiller that froze in the position i moved it to. It was on the hard. The tiller was easy enough to move, but there was a clearly discernible resistance.

According to the owner the bearings were changed four years prior. Boats I have sailed before had tillers that are fully freely moving with little or no resistance (except from the pressure of water of course).

Could this be as it should be? Or, is there more likely something wrong?

Stumble · 01-01-2018, 15:48

Something is wrong.

billknny · 01-01-2018, 16:08

^^^ like he says... Rudder bearings should move freely from stop to stop with minimal friction. Certainly not "sticking" at any spot. Might not be serious. but is is not a "feature"

**Don C L** · 01-01-2018, 18:46

Which 31 is it?

Paul L · 01-01-2018, 21:17

Quote:

. discernible resistance.

is in the eye of the beholder. You might ask on the HR owners site and see what others say about a similar boat. Your description doesn't sound very bad to me.

Uncle Bob · 01-01-2018, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by earbuilder

I am shopping for a used Hallberg Rassy 31. First one I checked had a tiller that froze in the position i moved it to. It was on the hard. The tiller was easy enough to move, but there was a clearly discernible resistance.

According to the owner the bearings were changed four years prior. Boats I have sailed before had tillers that are fully freely moving with little or no resistance (except from the pressure of water of course).

Could this be as it should be? Or, is there more likely something wrong?

On the hard, relatively young bearings that are bone dry, it will be different when she is in the water.

**GordMay** · 02-01-2018, 02:53

Rudder brake snugged up?

CHRIS V CLEMENT · 02-01-2018, 08:59

There is probably something wrong, but there may not be.

With permission, try lubricating the rudder shaft and the bearings with spray silicone or team mclube, while someone else is moving the tiller the entire length of travel. If this overcomes any friction, and there is no lose movement of the rudder relative to the tiller or the bearings, she is probably OK...

seasick · 02-01-2018, 09:16

@GordMay, I’ve never heard of a rudder brake
on a tiller controlled rudder installation but I suppose
it’s possible.

Ivansgarage · 02-01-2018, 09:16

Try some KY Jelly

Whoops wrong forum....

**TrentePieds** · 02-01-2018, 09:21

Aren't we getting confused by your choice of words? You say "froze". You say "The tiller was easy enough to move, but there was a clearly discernible resistance."

"Froze" would to most people mean that the tiller became immovable in the new position, but that is contradicted by what you say. That "The tiller was easy enough to move, but there was a clearly discernible resistance" is precisely what you'd expect with a staight down stock, as the HR has, when the boat is on the hard.

Just to cover all the bases: When you lay the helm over, while on the hard, obviously it will stay where you put it since there is no waterflow over the rudder to bring it back to midships.

TP

CarlF · 02-01-2018, 10:42

Well, the good news is that the HR 31 tracks well enough that you don't need to turn the rudder much

Serious rudder problems are usually obvious - it won't turn to starboard...something is "clunking"...water is pouring in the bearing..or the bottom 1/3 broke off.

A little friction on its own is not a problem on it's own. It won't slow the boat down or change rudder effectiveness. And the HR 31 has a balanced spade that uses water pressure to make it easier to turn underway.

Maybe have someone push lightly on the rudder outside the boat and see whether you enjoy the feel of the tiller. That's what's important. Of course, going for a sail would be better.

Deltasailor · 02-01-2018, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlF

Well, the good news is that the HR 31 tracks well enough that you don't need to turn the rudder much

Serious rudder problems are usually obvious - it won't turn to starboard...something is "clunking"...water is pouring in the bearing..or the bottom 1/3 broke off.

A little friction on its own is not a problem on it's own. It won't slow the boat down or change rudder effectiveness. And the HR 31 has a balanced spade that uses water pressure to make it easier to turn underway.

Maybe have someone push lightly on the rudder outside the boat and see whether you enjoy the feel of the tiller. That's what's important. Of course, going for a sail would be better.

Our surveyor said the rudder bearings had too much play we got a local machine shop to make new ones out of Teflon. On replacing them all seamed well until we launched and the teflon expanded. Out of the water again and a touch of reaming........all was well.