Hull / Keel / Rudder / Tiller

Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Hull / Keel / Rudder / Tiller / Kick-up rudder w/rivet and ball question.
  
 
Author Kick-up rudder w/rivet and ball question.
john
wichita, ks

Boat Name:

Model/Year: 1985/1975

Hull No. 13147/4937

Hailing Port: cheney lake		 04/11/2011 4:49 PM Pacific Time
I've had a problem with the kick-up rudder not staying in the full down position which results in a loss of steering effectiveness. So.....the housing is disassembled on my floor and before ordering the rivet and ball(whatever that is!) I'd like to see what experiences any on the forum have had. I found the rivet when I took the housing apart but no ball. I can understand how the rivet could keep the rudder in the down position but it seems like a spring would accomplish more than a ball. What does the ball do and does it compress some to give the rivet some 'give' when swing the rudder? I usually store the rudder in the up position to keep the mussels and algae to a minimum. Thanks.
Mike Bracket
Clinton Twp, MI

Boat Name: Gunsmoke

Model/Year: 1979

Hull No. 9150

Hailing Port: Lake St Clair MI		 04/12/2011 3:35 PM Pacific Time
John: the spring action is provided by the side plates flexing as the ball (embedded in the side of the rudder) slips out of the hole and rides along the inside of the plate. in short order, the inside of the plate will have a nice groove worn in it and the edge of the hole will be worn off and essentially ineffective.
you are better off drilling a 1/4" hole in the lower aft edge of the side plate, thru the rudder in the full down position and out the other side plate. then put a 1/4" wooden dowel in the hole to hold the rudder down. it will shear off if you hit something but it does keep the blade down.
also work on sail trim and balance. if you have trouble with the rudder riding up when you sail (resulting in significantly harder steering) you have too much weather helm. ease the mainsheet and try to power up the jib/genoa.
john
wichita, ks

Boat Name:

Model/Year: 1985/1975

Hull No. 13147/4937

Hailing Port: cheney lake		 04/13/2011 3:46 PM Pacific Time
Thanks. I've applied some JB Weld to the groove which has formed and have re-shaped the rivet hole to have the 'original' square shoulder. Maybe this will help the rivet head to hold down the rudder. I misinterpreted the picture of the rivet on the Catalina Direct website as a two piece part. What I was seeing was the same rivet photographed from two angles so it looked like a rivet was accompanied by a ball bearing. Just for further info in the future I might have the 'cheekplate' heliarced with aluminum build-up and then faced and drilled to restore the original dimensions of the hole which the rivet head rests in.
Craig Burlette
St Louis MO

Boat Name: Toujours ete'

Model/Year: C22 / 1974

Hull No.

Hailing Port: Lake Saint Louis MO		 04/23/2011 4:02 PM Pacific Time
John, I glued a piece of rubber, cut from an old tire tube, to the side of the rudder. I cut as big a circle as I could and centered it on the pivot bolt and glued it down with contact cement. It seams to work pretty well, if you need more friction you could cut 2 circles and glue it on either side of the rudder.
Craig
 
 
Hull / Keel / Rudder / Tiller
Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Hull / Keel / Rudder / Tiller / Kick-up rudder w/rivet and ball question.