Pearson 26 Rudder/Tiller system

[SailorBPTCT]

Hi guys,

I recently picked up a P26 that was very cheap which I now know is because the rudder is all messed up. We dropped the rudder this past weekend and learned that there's a crack on the shaft where the bolt should go through (see attached photo). Additionally, there's a crack on the tiller piece that connects to the rudder housing (see attached).

It's not feasible to purchase a new rudder for a boat this age. I was wondering if you guys thought this was something fixable via a machine shop. Or, if not, if anyone had a line on where I could get a second hand Pearson rudder system. I'm based in Bridgeport, CT. but can travel a bit for one.

Thanks for all of your help, family!

Brendan

[Rol1964]

Howdy SailorBPTCT,
I know of an older, “washed up” P26 on the hard in a marina on Lake Champlain, NY. My P26 is at the same marina. I understand there may be parts available. Unfortunately, I can’t cross the border because I’m in Canada.
However, FWIW....if the border opens up June 21 (as planned), I’ll chk it out and let you know. Good luck.
Rol1964.

[SailorBPTCT]

PMed you!

[LittleWing77]

Hi BPTCT

This guy is quite a famous Boat salvager. He may have the parts you're looking for:

Captain Jim's Marine Salvage
Portland, Maine
https://www.marinesalvagemaine.com/

Good luck! P26s are nice little sailing boats.
LittleWing77

[Svsumurun]

Over the years , I've got pieces from these guys for our various Pearson s . And they do sell a whole rudder!

https://www.drmarine.com/products.asp?cat=290

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by SailorBPTCT

Hi guys,

I recently picked up a P26 that was very cheap which I now know is because the rudder is all messed up. We dropped the rudder this past weekend and learned that there's a crack on the shaft where the bolt should go through (see attached photo). Additionally, there's a crack on the tiller piece that connects to the rudder housing (see attached).

It's not feasible to purchase a new rudder for a boat this age. I was wondering if you guys thought this was something fixable via a machine shop. Or, if not, if anyone had a line on where I could get a second hand Pearson rudder system. I'm based in Bridgeport, CT. but can travel a bit for one.

Thanks for all of your help, family!

Brendan

Keep in mind a salvaged rudder may be perfect (for its age) or you may buy another rudder with serious defects not visible to casual inspection. You may find it is feasible to purchase a new replacement. Old rudders tend to have numerous age related flaws. Anything and everything can be repaired and often made better than the original....but the costs add up quickly. Good luck.

[thomm225]

You also may be able to find something that works on Ebay.

I found a tiller that fit my bracket perfectly

sailboat rudder head

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ailboat+tiller

[tkeithlu]

What's the metal? If I were approaching this without parts readily available I'd be thinking of welding or brazing a beefed up repair. You don't have to stay within the parameters of the original (which is apparently a weak design, anyway), but add/replace metal in the right places to end up with a better tiller mount than the original.

[Scubaseas]

A good welder should be able to fix that for you. You might try Foss Foam if you want to new one. https://www.newrudders.com/standard-...t-replacement/

[Gary Matthesen]

I had an old maybe '79 Pearson 26. The top of the solid rudder post sheared off like yours. I had it welded, but the guy said it may shear off again, due to age/metal quality of the solid shaft. He said I would feel it go, before it fully failed.
Living in fear, a newer rudder came along in a dumpster dive. I dug a hole, got the new one in, all was well.
This one was a hollow stainless shaft, apparently an upgrade. Epoxyed new nylon bearings in as it always had play when rolling downwind.
BTW, that heavy rudder floats!

[Gravy26]

http://www.drmarine.com/proddetail.asp?prod=P26%2D131

[Gary Matthesen]

That piece will fit the broken solid stock you have. If you get a newer hollow rudder post, you would need a different head.

[Cheechako]

That fitting is likely chromed bronze. Many tiller head fittings will work if for the correct shaft size. Check out ebay etc. There are a few under "sailboat rudder" search. , sometimes you just have to fab these things up/modify to make them work.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-SAILBO...cAAOSwAHde2n0t

The shaft top is a bit hard to see what's going on.... it looks bronze...? If it's just the top end of the shaft, (that shaft is hollow?) I suspect you could have a machined bushing, or solid piece machined to fit the inside and brazed into it making it better than original.
Or is it solid and machined with flat sides to fit the tiller fitting?

[George DuBose]

I have a D&R built replacement rudder for a P26 or P30 with tiller bracket.

The rudder shaft is stainless steel with an solid aluminum head where the tiller bracket connects.

I paid $1000 for it new and it is in primo condition. It has been in a dry container for 5 years. A new one from D&R is $1895.

The boat need to much money for a renovation and I stripped the good hardware.

I also have a set of stanchions in great shape.

PM me at boss(at)george(dash)dubose(dot)com.