Rudder Post Leaking

[[165042]]

Hi All,

New to the forum so apologies as it's a tale of woe. I have a shaft-driven boat with a single rudder that appears to be leaking water internally. The rudder post comes up through the bottom of the boat and has a rubber sleeve that bubbles water at the top if you squeeze it. Presumably there is some packing that needs attention or should it just be greased? There appears to be a grease nipple higher up the rudder shaft but could that be for the top bearing that is mounted on the swim platform? I'm assuming it's mounted that way as there is a manual tiller.

The leak is just a drip which equates to about a litre a week so not serious although the top of the rubber sleeve is just about level with the waterline so it could go either way!

Any advice appreciated!

 

[Plum]

Hi All,

New to the forum so apologies as it's a tale of woe. I have a shaft-driven boat with a single rudder that appears to be leaking water internally. The rudder post comes up through the bottom of the boat and has a rubber sleeve that bubbles water at the top if you squeeze it. Presumably there is some packing that needs attention or should it just be greased? There appears to be a grease nipple higher up the rudder shaft but could that be for the top bearing that is mounted on the swim platform? I'm assuming it's mounted that way as there is a manual tiller.

The leak is just a drip which equates to about a litre a week so not serious although the top of the rubber sleeve is just about level with the waterline so it could go either way!

Any advice appreciated!

Could you post a photograph and let us know what make/model the boat is?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[omega2]

Get the grease gun out.

 

[[165042]]

Could you post a photograph and let us know what make/model the boat is?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I will next time I'm down at the marina, thanks.

 

[[165042]]

Get the grease gun out.

Where will the grease come out?

 

[omega2]

When you see it emerging from the top seal stop pumping. But I WILL AWAIT YOUR PICTURES. Not clear on the location of the nipple in relation to the top seal.

 

[MapisM]

Not much to add to what has already been said, but it's a pleasure to welcome to the asylum an Alfa Romeo fan.
If your username is anything to go by, that is...! :encouragement:

 

[[165042]]

Actually my username is in relation to a boat! I do love Alfas though :encouragement:

So it turns out the grease nipple is for the top bearing and the rubber seal is a Volvo lip seal that needed 'burping' and greasing so all good now!

 

[benjenbav]

Actually my username is in relation to a boat! I do love Alfas though :encouragement:

So it turns out the grease nipple is for the top bearing and the rubber seal is a Volvo lip seal that needed 'burping' and greasing so all good now!

I am glad to hear it. I didn't comment before, because I didn't want to depress you with my experience of a leaking rudder post which needed the whole base cutting out and rebuilding...

 

[[165042]]

Ouch!

 

[MapisM]

Actually my username is in relation to a boat!

Doh! The one in some 007 movie, I guess?
I'd rather have an original AR Disco Volante anyway.
With the sort of money the very few left are worth nowadays, you could buy a proper boat, rather than fictional stuff...!

 

[[165042]]

Actually it's a 27m Leopard but I know the boat you mean .

I agree with you that the 8C derived DiscoVolante is pretty horrible compared to the original :disgust:.

 

[No Regrets]

Purely as a matter of interest, and all things 007, is this the DV that is moored at a popular Oxfordshire boating place!?

In which case....you nicked my fave boat name! Flying Saucer!

 

[[165042]]

I don't think you'd get a 27m Leopard up the Isis!

 

[Bouba]

I don't think you'd get a 27m Leopard up the Isis!

Welcome! So, do you have the biggest boat in the forum?

 

[[165042]]

I can only dream! My own boat is more like 27 feet!