Rudder damage

[ashtead]

If Jeaneau are like Bavaria all their rudders are supplied by Jefa so they are not after market suppliers but factory fitted versions if that makes sense. I’m sure if you contacted jefa with boat make details they might advise as to local supplier etc.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

If Jeaneau are like Bavaria all their rudders are supplied by Jefa so they are not after market suppliers but factory fitted versions if that makes sense. I’m sure if you contacted jefa with boat make details they might advise as to local supplier etc.

That sounds like an excellent solution to the problem.

Only recently did I learn that many boat builders contract out rudder construction
and can be variable in quality.

 

[dunedin]

That sounds like an excellent solution to the problem.

Only recently did I learn that many boat builders contract out rudder construction
and can be variable in quality.

Actually where people like Jefa are used the rudder is factory built so much more consistency (less variable) in quality than a rudder built by non specialists who might only do a few in a small boatyard.

 

[Tranona]

This boat was built long before Jefa got involved in supplying rudders to big builders, and still don't supply Jenneau. This is a list of the builders/models where they can offer replacements jefa.com/ftp/old_boat_spare_parts/

There is nothing clever or difficult about the design and construction of the rudder. If it turns freely and there is no wear on the bearings (which are probably composite at the top and bronze at the bottom) as the OP reports there is no reason to drop it to carry out the repair to the bottom.

 

[sailoppopotamus]

I contacted Jeffa on Saturday night and had a reply in my inbox on Sunday morning (!!). Indeed they do not offer replacement bearings for my boat and were not involved in the construction of the rudder as Tranona suggested. Contrary to what I wrote in my initial post, there's some back-to-front play in the rudder (no side-to-side play though) and there's some very slight resistance at a certain point when I go from end-to-end. It's so slight that it might've always been there and I wouldn't have noticed with the boat in the water. So I'll think I'll go ahead and drop the rudder and see if I can made bearings (bushings really) made locally. Thanks to everybody for your help, I'll keep the forum updated as I make progress with this.

 

[Tranona]

I expect you will find the bearings are solid bushes. Acetal such as Delrin is a common material to use and is easy to machine provided the machinist follows the rules on clearance.