Removing a Rudder

[airborne1]

This may seem a naive question but has anyone any ideas on how to lift off my rudder.
The stern has an overhang of about 45 degs so the pivot pin is angled at that. This means that I cannot get a straight lift as the centre of balance is way below the transom and I don't see any way that I can get a support point to hang it from while I remove the pin. I did talk to the marina engineers and they were talking about some kind of A-frame but wanted too much money to make me one and I am not convinced it would work anyway.
If I could I would insert a drawing of the boat so you could see my problem. Anyone know how I can do this for future occasions???

 

[old_salt]

For posting a photo look here:- web page

 

[airborne1]

Thanks Old-Salt for that website
Here is the boat so any suggestions for supporting the rudder while I remove the support pivot pin, lift the rudder to clear bottom pintle and then lower the rudder to the ground.

http://brian-moore.fotopic.net/p37933677.html

 

[old_salt]

Hi Brian. You seem to have not taken out the http // bit on the url insert box so your link did not work you can always check it to work when you first click continue and revue just then click the highlight and it will take you to the link just click top right exit to return to you revue then click submit when you know all is OK.
I have set it up so you can click on the highlighted line to raise you photo. Others on here may be able to set it up and have you photo on the post.
I will study the issue and see if I can make any suggestions .I am sure you will have some more replies.
Cheers David.


see here:- web page

 

[Casey]

I'm afraid the link does not work Brian.

 

[airborne1]

Thanks yet again Old_salts.
I edited the original post and it seems to work now.
Anyone interested in this question can check my original post or try this link.

http://brian-moore.fotopic.net/p37933677.html

Thanks again to all for your interest.

 

[old_salt]

You should not have to much trouble to lift the rudder off 3 good guys should be able to remove it with ease 2 to support and the 3rd to undo the last fastening. If you place a good block under the heel of the rudder you could hold it with a clamp in the cut out and a line rigged over the top of the cock pit. I would guess the weight to be about 85 Lbs max but you should be able to get a feel of it's wight when you loosen the fastenings.
I hope this helps.

 

[old_salt]

Just as quick diversion is the car in the back ground a Audi coupe or similar by any chance.

 

[airborne1]

Thanks again Old_Salt but the 3 <u>good</u> guys would be my prob lol. They would cost me a fortune in beer.
The idea of a G-clamp in the cut out was excellent and my mate did suggest the rigged line but it was how to attach it to the rudder was the problem, especially with the job being off centre.
Still thats the fun of owning an old wood boat.

Will post again when its complete just in case its of any help to others.

PS the car that you can just see a wheel of at the back of the rudder is a white Rover 25 diesel.

 

[old_salt]

Ar similar wheel to an 80s Audi.
Just to add to my post what is the actual size of the rudder.
I have had another look and I may be underestimating the weight some what.

I see you are ex MN 'snap' who where you with.
For me see my bio.

 

[chrishelen]

Hi airborne, i had the same problem removing my rudder, what i did was lash a length of wood or a pole to the boom it needs to come at least half way down the boom towards the mast and be secure and overhang the stern by about 3ft, rest the boom in a cradle, attach handybilly to outboard end of pole(you could use you mainsheets for this) get mate who doesnt drink to help attach handybilly to rudder stock about half way down with a good old rolling hitch take the weight do what you need to do pull bolts out etc, pull a bit more to raise rudder off pintles, get non drinking mate to pull rudder back lower to ground on to blocks offer mate a drink,when he declines go home, this worked for me, be carefull as the ruders heavier than it looks. hope this helps chris.

 

[Sniper]

I've removed (and rehung) my Twister rudder singlehanded more than once. I simply make fast a rope to the head of the rudder then take a turn over the horse and cleat it off. This gives enough movement to allow me to get my shoulder underneath and lift the rudder from its pintles. Once clear, the rope supports the rudder until I can climb on board and lower it gently to the ground. No doubt a H&S nightmare, but it works for me.

 

[Casey]

Thanks to Old Salt's diredtions I have now uploaded a picture of Kala Sona's rudder. This is secured by a long pin through the pintles and gudgeons. I held the top with a rope fastened aboard and secured the foot of the rudder as I drifted the pin out. Although the oringinal pin was badly worn it was also bent so it was a problem. With the new pin I can do the job single handed although I always welcome help even at the cost of much beer!

View Album as Slideshow

Hope this picture business has worked and that this information helps.

 

[Casey]

I obviously got that wrong but here is (hopefully) the corrected version!

 

[rjp]

I used a similar method with my Buchanan 32 though I had an extra pair of hands available as the rudder is heavy and takes two people to handle it. My rudder hinges on a long rod through two pairs of gudgeons on the transom and rudder. I removed the rod beforehand and just dropped a long bolt through the upper pair of gudgeons to keep the rudder vertical.

I took a long line from the head around port and starboard winches and cleated them off. I then used a hydraulic trolley jack to raise the rudder out of the lower bearing (it just cleared before fouling the prop.) Once it was clear I pulled it back a bit clear of the bearing, then lowered the jack so the base of the rudder sat on a baulk of timber (rudder still vertical), then removed the bolt from the top gudgeons eased off one of the winches up top and gradually lowered backwards to the horizontal with the second person steadying it sideways. Despite endless hours worrying about it beforehand it went like a dream. Refitting was just a reversal of the above and was even easier.

John

 

[Ayeshaman]

Much the same idea. Had great fun getting the rudder off an East Anglian One Design years ago. Did it in the end with a hydraulic car jack under the heel, and a block and tackle up to the pushpit taking the (Surprisingly heavy) weight of the rudder head. When it was clear of the pintles we swung it clear on the block and tackle and lowered gently to the floor. To our surprise this system in reverse put it back on in minutes.

 

[Jwoods]

Been there with getting the rudder of my Falmouth Pilot (see recent post). I did'nt realise how heavy it was and nearly fell in a nearby ditch. It is solid mahogany and I can only just lift it (old age creeping in).

As a matter of interest I see you have a servo rudder for wind vane self steer. Does it work? Am considering copying a mark one Hasler for mine.

 

[airborne1]

Hi JeremyWoods, Yup the boat is fitted with a servo rudder for a wind vane, not shown fitted in the photo.
I haven't had a chance to see if it works yet as I bought the boat and motored her to the yard but was assured by the previous owner that he has sailed many a NM single handed on the wind vane.
Should be interesting to see how it works when I get the boat back in the water.

 

[airborne1]

Casey, as an aside from my rudder question - how did you get the photo to show in your post instead of as a link as I did ??
Also, when I get her painted up I would like to post a photo of her with my profile.
Any ideas??

 

[Casey]

I worked on the old and tested system "If all else fails read the instructions" and eventually clicked on the link which Old Salt gave us in his post at 0128 on 220107. The instructions are quite clear but I managed to get them wrong the first time as my posts show. As for putting a picture with your profile my ancient brain is past that and my twelve year old Grandson is at school!!