Jeanneau rudder removal

[Pauld1632]

Hi have a merry fisher 695. Year 2000, with a hanging rudder not attached to keel, can see the brass clamp inside bolted onto shaft with2 grub screws, and can see a plate underneath hull screwed up to it, can anyone tell me if I need to remove the plate underneath hull or will the shaft drop through after removing the brass clamp.
Thanks Paul

 

[Pauld1632]

The rudder

 

[Pauld1632]

Inside clamp

 

[Paul1962]

Hi Paul,
I had a Beneteau Antares 7 which I believe is very similar to your Jeanneau. I had an Aluminium tiller arm as per my attached photos - I had cap screws instead of your grub screws. If you disconnect the rudder stock extension piece above your tiller arm (and remove it upwards), undo your grub screws and the two bolts holding your tiller arm (good luck with both of those btw), the rudder should drop down through the top and bottom rudder stock seal housings. The bottom seal housing is the plate with the 4 screws you see under the hull just above the rudder.

The rudder and stock are one piece so you will have to either lift the boat or dig a hole to remove your rudder assembly from the boat.

I found that the top seal had inverted which is why the helm was very stiff which prompted me to investigate in the first place.

I removed both seal housings and renewed both seals ensuring the garter springs were stainless steel - I also renewed the circlips that hold the seals in place in their housings with stainless steel items.

I am sorry to say that I had to break my tiller arm to remove it as the screws had become locked in position - mine (and yours looks very similar) was a Vetus 40, it has M12 clamping bolts and the grub screws are M10.

The rudder stock has some "flats" machined into it and the grub screws screw up against these "flats" to stop rotation of th earm about the stock and then the clamping bolts are tightened - not too much - the tiller arm is cast alumnium.

I still have the one in the attached photos that I got welded up in case I ever needed a spare but it needs dressing etc.

Hope this helps

Paul

 

[Pauld1632]

Thanks mate, going to have a bit of a job by the look at it , got to take rudder off unfortunately to remove the shaft to change cutlass bearing and water seal.one plus is a friend is letting me put the boat in his workshop , so I can take my time and he got all the gear there .
Cheers for info, big help

 

[penfold]

Inside clamp

That looks ready for replacement; has there been endemic water ingress, if corrosion has caused that rather than poor material choice?

I am sorry to say that I had to break my tiller arm to remove it as the screws had become locked in position - mine (and yours looks very similar) was a Vetus 40, it has M12 clamping bolts and the grub screws are M10.

The rudder stock has some "flats" machined into it and the grub screws screw up against these "flats" to stop rotation of th earm about the stock and then the clamping bolts are tightened - not too much - the tiller arm is cast alumnium.

Terrible engineering; does no one use keys anymore?

 

[Pauld1632]

To be honest the black and white photo does make it look worse than it is , couldn’t upload colour photo but does look like some salt water has been in contact with it, once the rudder shaft is out I will strip it down and replace what is worn, there is a fair bit of work to do , but when it’s all done should last me years hopefully.

 

[penfold]

Losing most of the material around the bosses for the clamp bolts is not minor, it needs replacement or repair.

 

[Pauld1632]

Is there anywhere, that I could purchase a new clamp if I can’t repair it or I have to cut it off ,

 

[penfold]

It appears to be a Vetus product so they will be able to sell you one; given its state I'd consider having one fabricated in steel and then galvanised, or in stainless steel.

 

[Paul1962]

Nothing wrong with the Aluminium item if protected and greased etc - It does look very similar to a Vetus 40, available at £112.50 inclusive from ASAP - no affiliation.

I do have my old repaired one that does need dressing etc that I am happy to send to you if it may help - its only collecting dust
- the photos I attached are of this item - I attach another photo for information

Let me know.

Regards

 

[Pauld1632]

Nothing wrong with the Aluminium item if protected and greased etc - It does look very similar to a Vetus 40, available at £112.50 inclusive from ASAP - no affiliation.

I do have my old repaired one that does need dressing etc that I am happy to send to you if it may help - its only collecting dust
- the photos I attached are of this item - I attach another photo for information

Let me know.

Regards

Thanks mate that’s so kind of you, I am getting lifted out in 2 weeks time, I will get it off first and see what’s it like, I should be able to get mine repaired in my work if needed ,so I won’t take yours for the sake of it , but I’m very grateful for the offer.
Good luck and a happy new year too you .

 

[Gazaaa]

Hi Paul,
I had a Beneteau Antares 7 which I believe is very similar to your Jeanneau. I had an Aluminium tiller arm as per my attached photos - I had cap screws instead of your grub screws. If you disconnect the rudder stock extension piece above your tiller arm (and remove it upwards), undo your grub screws and the two bolts holding your tiller arm (good luck with both of those btw), the rudder should drop down through the top and bottom rudder stock seal housings. The bottom seal housing is the plate with the 4 screws you see under the hull just above the rudder.

The rudder and stock are one piece so you will have to either lift the boat or dig a hole to remove your rudder assembly from the boat.

I found that the top seal had inverted which is why the helm was very stiff which prompted me to investigate in the first place.

I removed both seal housings and renewed both seals ensuring the garter springs were stainless steel - I also renewed the circlips that hold the seals in place in their housings with stainless steel items.

I am sorry to say that I had to break my tiller arm to remove it as the screws had become locked in position - mine (and yours looks very similar) was a Vetus 40, it has M12 clamping bolts and the grub screws are M10.

The rudder stock has some "flats" machined into it and the grub screws screw up against these "flats" to stop rotation of th earm about the stock and then the clamping bolts are tightened - not too much - the tiller arm is cast alumnium.

I still have the one in the attached photos that I got welded up in case I ever needed a spare but it needs dressing etc.

Hope this helps

Paul

Hi Paul. Do you have any info on the seals that you replaced. Were the just o rings or something else. It would be great if you had some kind of part number. Just doing the cutlass bearing and had to remove the rudder. I also has to break off my rudder a today to get it to come off. The seals seem fine but I'm this far into it i will also change them. Horrible job but i know it will be right when finished.