Steering Rusted Out

[RockinRick]

I have an Irwin Citation. Owned for 5 years. Just looked at my steering and all rusted out. Does anyone have any suggestions to support it or do I have to replace all parts? If replacement needed, do I have to pull the boat? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Bill O]

Anything Irwin you need to contact Gene Gammon, he can point you in the right direction. https://www.irwinyachts.com/

[boatpoker]

That is a serious issue. Call a pro.
Might want to reduce your inspection period to monthly rather than every 5yrs.

[tkeithlu]

Tell me if I'm right. I think I see that the steering arms and the stuffing box are reasonably OK, but the upper support for the rudder shaft is rusted away.

If so, can you disassemble it and fabricate new parts? You would have to knock the pin out of the top of the rudder shaft, that is, the pin that's there for mounting a tiller. Then the parts to be replaced come up over the top. Don't remove the steering arms,at least while it's in the water, because it looks like that is what keeps the rudder shaft from dropping down and out of the boat, given that you have a spade rudder.

This job is not going to be technically difficult, and you can do it, but it promises to be a royal PITA when it comes to getting rusted parts out of a tight place. Good luck with it.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Tell me if I'm right. I think I see that the steering arms and the stuffing box are reasonably OK, but the upper support for the rudder shaft is rusted away.

What you call "steering arms" I call a quadrant ... no matter The quadrant clamp appears also seriously corroded which calls into question the rudder stock condition under the clamp.

[tkeithlu]

Good point about the condition of the shaft. I didn't see a quadrant in there, so I went with "arms." Did Irwin actually use steel parts here?

[Cheechako]

It's a bit difficult to see what is what, but I think I just see a rusty fabricated support. The quadrant appears to be maybe bronze with rust dripped onto it.
It's possible you just need to have a new support fabricated. It would be nice to remove that if you can as a model for fabrication.

[RockinRick]

Thank you everyone!! Is there a way to clamp or support the shaft to keep it from falling into the water while I try to get the support arm over the top?

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by RockinRick

Thank you everyone!! Is there a way to clamp or support the shaft to keep it from falling into the water while I try to get the support arm over the top?

It appears that this collar with the bolt that passes through your rudderstock will keep your rudder in place while you remove the existing quadrant.

[RaymondR]

It looks like just the upper steel support needs replacing and the rest of it a clean up.

[Lepke]

Any decent welding shop can make that support. If you're keeping the boat, make it out of stainless.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Good point about the condition of the shaft. I didn't see a quadrant in there, so I went with "arms." Did Irwin actually use steel parts here?

Quite possibly.

Irwin Yachts built boats to a cost/price point. He specialized in “lots of boat, for the money”, producing mediocre [at best] quality and finish, and marketed them to buyers looking for as much boat as possible, for the price.

To control costs, Irwin bought his supplies in large lots, and also owned his factory, and the land it was located upon, as well as the production tooling. He also produced everything possible in-house.

[HeywoodJ]

Very hard to tell just from photos, but it looks like the components, including the upper shaft collar, are bronze, but the upper support/bearing is mild still and rusted to nothing.

In the water, you could loosen the set screw on the upper collar until it moves freely. With the others, I believe the quadrant/lower collar will hold things in place. But, if you loosen just the upper collar first the t-pin at the top will limit your travel downward to a couple of inches, your rudder will still be in the boat. If it doesn't move at all then proceed.

If you're a belt and braces (suspenders) kind of guy you can run a rope down from one side, under the rudder, and back up to the other side to support the rudder from underneath. Most rudders you might need a loop in the line to make a 'basket' for the bottom of the rudder.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by HeywoodJ

... If you're a belt and braces (suspenders) kind of guy you can run a rope down from one side, under the rudder, and back up to the other side to support the rudder from underneath. Most rudders you might need a loop in the line to make a 'basket' for the bottom of the rudder.

Barrel Hitch ➥ https://www.animatedknots.com/barrel-hitch-knot

[AKA-None]

Wow haven’t tied one of those in a while