Help Rudder stuck

[WanagiAndMe]

Help please attached pics... I have been struggling with rudder cant get it out of boat. I removed everything from packing gland all visible keys and anything obviously holding rudder post in. Ive tried oil to help it break free ....soaked post in Muric acid tried benzoi torch heat....tried 8lb sledge it out...got it half way out but wouldnt go any further....wedged back in place...rudder moves side to side but cant get out....help please....i literally broke my hand trying to get out dont want to have to cut post but im running out of ideas. Think maybe that this brass housing rudder post is in needs to unscrew ..tried got it to turn both ways independentnof shaft but freezes either way after about 180 turn with wrench?? Help any suggestions???

[skipmac]

Based on your userprofile I'm guessing this is on a Kenner Privateer 35 (41' LOA)?

From photos it looks like the rudder is on a skeg so the bottom of the rudder post sitting in a bushing or similar at the bottom?

More info would help.

Is this post attached to a bushing at the bottom?

Are you trying to drop it or lift it out?

If drop, assume it is free from the bottom of the skeg but then is it angled in the upper fitting?

[WanagiAndMe]

Yes 35 kenner privateer...
Trying to drop out rudder ...yes has skeg protected...it gets about halfway out and then wont go any further. .ill take more pics

[WanagiAndMe]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Based on your userprofile I'm guessing this is on a Kenner Privateer 35 (41' LOA)? Yes 35 deck 41 with pulpit

From photos it looks like the rudder is on a skeg so the bottom of the rudder post sitting in a bushing or similar at the bottom? Yes has bronze box at bottom that holds rudder to skeg

More info would help.

Is this post attached to a bushing at the bottom? I cant see up rudder post hole too small....seems like something inside is holding rudder in although its dropped out about half way with leverage before it got stuck...was able to push it back up in place.

Are you trying to drop it or lift it out? Drop it out impossible to lift out

If drop, assume it is free from the bottom of the skeg but then is it angled in the upper fitting?

Rudder shaft appears to be straight up into boat...

[tkeithlu]

Is the rudder shaft bent? Bring it up, then put a straight edge on it on each side to see. It sounds like it's bent, and is binding when it reaches the bend.

It it is not bent, use fine sandpaper to remove all the crud on the shaft before oiling it and trying again.

If it is bent, then you will need to devise a way to bend it back. That will mean determining which way it is bent, going 180 degrees from that dimension, and applying force both at the top and at the bottom of the shaft. It likely bent just below the lower entrance of the shaft into the hull. It will take a bunch of force, and you really cannot use enough heat to lessen the task - you'd melt your boat.

Failing in that, the shaft is toast, so cut it off and start over.

[Spot]

Wondering if the collar-like thing (red in my sketch) between the rudder shaft and the hull is the issue.
The shaft is going to need some wiggle room to slip past the skeg and drop down out of the boat. Does that piece move at all? In my mind it should come up and off the shaft to create wiggle room. I do not have one of these boats to know 100% for sure.

[tkeithlu]

Wait a minute. Is the rudder still attached at the bottom?!

[Rucksta]

When struggling to remove a component I can become overly focused on how.
Sometimes the right question is why.

In this case the rudder turns , is attached to the boat and the gland is serviceable.

Why does the rudder have to come out?