Help , my boat is sinking (slowly)

[andy59]

I have noticed this weekend that the starboard rudder tube is leaking about a litre per day and the lazzerette bilge pump is dutifully emptying it out but obviously I need to sort it . Does anyone know how to cure this problem ?. Rudders were removed and refitted for transport recently and both were fitted in the same way but only one is leaking . Is there some kind of seal or o ring that could be damaged ?. I cant see any grease nipples and the rudders had very slight play on survey but not enough to be problematic ( apparently ). Frustrating that a couple of inches higher and the tops of the tube would be above the waterline .
Any advise gratefully received , boat is P42 BTW .

 

[superheat6k]

The simplest idea I can think of until the seals are replaced with the boat out - get a spray can of chain grease from a motorbike shop, push the spray tube into the gap between the shaft and the tube and liberally squirt the chain grease in. Worse that can happen is that the seal gets affected by the grease, but the seal is worn or torn anyway.

 

[benjenbav]

I hope it is a seal. I had the same symptoms and ended up having the stocks cut out and rebuilt which took ages - as the surrounding area had to be dried out and then built up again. In fairness, it did fix the problem. Hope yours is more straightforward.

 

[andy59]

Don't know if it's a clue but when the wheel is turned lock to lock you can hear a lot of squeaking .

 

[P4Paul]

Don't know if it's a clue but when the wheel is turned lock to lock you can hear a lot of squeaking .

I know it is not what you want to hear but I think I would be having her lifted out to make sure that the squeaking isn't the rudder shaft bearing spinning in the tube.
Fingers crossed it is nothing serious and an easy, cheap and quick fix.

 

[andy59]

The rudder tube is definitely not spinning Paul , Have spoken to clements who supplied the original parts and have ordered bearings and seals for both rudders . Going to do a lift and hold overnight and will see whats going on and replace whats needed .

 

[P4Paul]

The rudder tube is definitely not spinning Paul , Have spoken to clements who supplied the original parts and have ordered bearings and seals for both rudders . Going to do a lift and hold overnight and will see whats going on and replace whats needed .

Any idea when you will get her lifted? It is manic at work during the week at the moment with some very long days but happy to give a hand if you want one and it fits around work.

I wondered if the squeaking was because the bearing has seized and is rotating inside the tube rather than the tube turning.