1987 Newport 30 Mk3 stuck rudder

[kabuki]

Hello.
I am looking at this boat currently to purchase. It has been sitting for some time and I suspect that over time the rudder may have become seized onto the brass/bronze bushing that holds the packing flax down inside the fiberglass post. I am fairly certain this is well above the water line.

The wheel turns easily only for a little bit (as the bushing turns inside the fiberglass until the bolts run out of slack). After that there is SOME movement, but it is very stiff as you can probably tell from the video.

Any tips on what might be going on here, and how to fix? I am worried that there might be some corrosion on the stainless. All help is appreciated. Thanks,

https://youtu.be/oR5pht0MKTs

[coopec43]

If I was considering buying it I would have to find out what is causing the problem.

But if the boat had been sitting there for some time I wouldn't be surprised if some things on the yacht are a bit "stuck". My steering pedestal had never been used and the wheel was quite stiff to turn. When I pulled it to bits and polished up the shaft it was perfect. (Maybe some lubricant had dried out was causing the problem?)

[tkeithlu]

My concern is that the stuck rudder may be due to impact damage rather than aging. It looks like the steering mechanism from wheel to post is working OK, but the rudder turning just a bit and then binding could be a bent staft. If this is a serious candidate for purchase, disassembly of the stuffing box is in order prior to committing dollars. On the outside, moving the rudder, does the shaft stay true or does the rudder start to shift off center?

Good luck with it. It could be good news, and it could be a major repair.