Rudder Play Beneteau

[bugs]

I have some play on the rudder of my bendytoe 31.7 . I have not looked closely yet and am wondering if there is a means of taking up this slack or am I faced with replacing bearings or bushings?
tks

 

[joss]

Sounds like the same problem we had in our 31.7 last year. Does it vibrate the tiller under power?

Jo

 

[bugs]

Well I get that too but I understood that to be wash off the sail drive. I thought I felt play under sail . It was dark when I got back so I didnt look too close. Were you able to fix the vibration under power?

 

[StugeronSteve]

Just sorted mine. The lower bearing (outer sleeve) is set in rings of Sikaflex, which can breakdown and allow slight play. It's easily sorted, drop the rudder down a little, clean the old Sikaflex from the rudder tube and sleeve bearing, bind the sleeve with pvc tape to the required gap, apply new rings rings of Sikaflex, slide bearing in, allow to cure and refit rudder.

If you contact Darren Wallace at Ancaster he will fax you an instruction sheet from Beneteau.

Not a big job and very unlikely that there is any problem with the bearings.

Steve.

 

[joss]

exactly what I was going to say. Also, make sure to use the Sikaflex 292 and not the 291 and don't over-do the tape when you're packing. I had to do ours again because it was too tight. Don't know what your attitude is, but I found it to be a much easier job than anticipated. It cured the tiller vibration also.

Jo

 

[StugeronSteve]

Confession time. As I needed to allow bit of drying time between lift out and repair, and not being able to get back down to the boat for a couple of weeks, I got the yard to slip it back in. Cost <2hrs labour and was cheaper than paying for storage on the hard whilst the boat waited for my return. My bearing sleeve had moved and very slightly scored, so I got it replaced. Jimi had a spare at home and very kindly delivered it to the boat (thanks Jim). Which reminds me, I still owe him and I aint seen the bailiffs yet!

 

[david_e]

How are you measuring the play and what tolerances are used?

 

[bugs]

Not actually measured. But before I launched there was some lateral movement when I applied sidewards effort to the rudder tip. The vibration described by Joss under power was pretty obvious. Then in the particular conditions under sail last weekend I thought I felt a looseness.

 

[jimi]

I had a serious issue with play in the rudder (Beneteau 331) whereby the stoch and the rudder were starting to move independently. If I were you I'd check it urgently ASAP by locking off the tiller or wheel and seeing if there is any play in the rudder. IF so it will need fixing and depending on the cause (poss stock deleam if composite or tangs breaking due to water ingress) there is certainly a possibility of catastrophic failure. If you wish give me a phone number by PM so I can give you further details of my experience.

 

[bugs]

I decided this morning that I will dry it out in the next couple of days to check it out. Im pretty sure its just loose bushings but based on your comments I will be suitably paranoid and check the whole structure!!
FIngers crossed......

 

[joss]

We have a spare 31.7 rudder for sale if you need it.

Jo

 

[bugs]

I hope it doesn;t come to that but good to know.
tks