Rudder Separation from Hull

[Lord Farringdon]

My apologies if this has already been raised but I thought the issues raised in this BD thread regarding rudders dropping out of some SR's with resultant engine bay flooding was significant enough as a possible safety issue to bring some attention to it on this forum.

Terry

http://boatdiesel.com/Forums/index.cfm?CFApp=0&Forum_ID=667&Thread_ID=36082

 

[Four Suns]

I have the same boat as the guy that made that post and had the same problem. I caught it before the port rudder fell out of the boat but the only thing that was holding the rudder in was the cotter pin.... crazy... I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to have a set screw on a round surface. I had both rudders pulled and the shafts machined down so the set screws have a flat and recessed surface.

 

[searay40dad]

Read this while drinking a cup of coffee this morning so I added it to the 'to do' list today. Both set screws were tight, cotter pins ok, but starboard post didn't have safety wire and port clinch bolt took about half turn on the wrench. I can definitely see what you're talking about in terms of the set screw not having anything to bite. Glad I saw this, will be a regular checklist item now. thanks

I also gave away a couple of my wooden plugs last summer. Think i'll replace them this week.