Beneteau 361 rudder

[sailaboutvic]

As anyome actually replace their own rudder bearings on a 361 .
im looking for some feedback before I start work on mine .
we only have limited time held in the lift so I like to work out any problem that may arise before hand .
there very tight space to work in removing the steering gear but what I can see once that’s out of the way the only thing that stopping the rudder from dropping it a pin ( see photo ) unless there some thing under the steering quadrant .
also the bottom coller ( bearing ) what holds it in place ?
cool
Vic

 

[davidej]

Our bottom bearing stuck on the rudder stock and was twisting against the GRP of the hull. We dropped the rudder, freed the brass collar and sika it back in place.

My co-owners son did the work inside that hell- hole. I think the two parts of the quadrant had to be separated and then the pin knocked out.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Our bottom bearing stuck on the rudder stock and was twisting against the GRP of the hull. We dropped the rudder, freed the brass collar and sika it back in place.

My co-owners son did the work inside that hell- hole. I think the two parts of the quadrant had to be separated and then the pin knocked out.

Thank David is it possible within the next few days you could find out if there another pin between the quadrant as well as the one in the photo and if there a key wave in the shaft as well which the quadrant is located on?
I have about 30 mins to drop the rudder inbetween them power washing the hull , I like to be well prepared for what I'm going to find .

calling it a hell hole I think your being kind I can just about get my arms in so it's not going to be easy, I guess there going to be a lot of swareing involved .

 

[davidej]

I’m sorry but our boat is in Scotland at the moment and we will not be traveling north until next week. I don’t think there is another pin but isn’t the stock machined into a square section where the quadrant fits? I am sure that there is more than clamping force to keep it in place.

It is probably easier to access by crawling In through the hatch at the back of the port cabin than hanging down in the stbd rear locker (lazerette?).

Have you thought of joining the Bene361 Facebook group which I have found very helpful.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I’m sorry but our boat is in Scotland at the moment and we will not be traveling north until next week. I don’t think there is another pin but is the stock machined into a square section where the quadrant fits? I am sure that there is more than clamping force to keep it in place.

Have you thought of joining the Bene361 Facebook group which I have found very

 

[sailaboutvic]

OK thank anyway ,
It's only cos of the time limitations that's the problem .

 

[davidej]

Well join the Facebook group and pose the question. I think you will get a prompt response. I won’t be able to give you an answer for at least 10 days.

EDIT. Just looked and seen that you have done that. The bearing we replaced was the brass bottom one shown in the photo there, not the delrin one shown in your photo.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Well join the Facebook group and pose the question. I think you will get a prompt response. I won’t be able to give you an answer for at least 10 days.

EDIT. Just looked and seen that you have done that. The bearing we replaced was the brass bottom one shown in the photo there, not the delrin one shown in your photo.

Getting some conflicting reply I wonder if the US and the European once are fitting different.
Again thanks for you reply

 

[sailaboutvic]

Well the.jobs done .
one of my main concern is having to have the boat lifted each time the rudder needed to be moved and the costs involved or finding a yard with an hard standing where I could dig an hole .
so for futire ref a gab of 70 cm from the bottom of the rudder to the ground is enough clearance for anyone else reading this in time to come .
the 361 has a bronze ring in the bottom and a plastic on top , it’s the bottom one that normally plays up and luckily the cheapest of the two £185 including import due and shipping the top bearing would cost £360 .
sadly I made the mistake of ordering the bottom bearing before starting work , as the problem was the bearing had came away from the hull and all it needed was to be stuck back into place,
as I had a new one I decided to replace the old one bearing.
so there now a very good second hand bearing going cheap
benetuea spec suggest a gap of 1.5 mm + or - .5 need to be left , setting mine at 1.3 mm I found there was too much play so I had to remove it again and this time .9 mm made it very cosy .

the hardest part of the job was work in a confine space ( what’s new on boats ) not as young or fexable as I use to be I could just about get my head and one arm into an hole in the locker which meant having my wife now getting her arm thought another hole in the back cabin to hole the ratchet bar while I turned it .
all in all job done ,
I was quoted £1850 to do the job is it was straight forward other wise it cost more .
haul in and out the part plus the replacement of the cutlass bearing £620 , I love a good a good saving .
Plus I found a few problems that needed sorted on the way.