Rudder repair

[Jono320harley]

Good afternoon,
I’m starting rudder repairs and tube/bearing shortly so need some help pls, can anyone recommend the best/reasonable rudder tube and bearing for my Snapdragon 27
Thank you

 

[Rappey]

I had a 1960s boat who's rudder post was a galvanised steel tube ! This year it finally corroded through .
316 stainless would be the popular choice.
As for bearing what type is it ? Mine is essentially a stern gland with packing .

 

[RivalRedwing]

Is there a Snapdragon Association? Bet they have been there and done that and will offer best advice (moving this thread to the PBO forum might help the response rate too).

 

[Tranona]

There is indeed here snapdragonmirage.org.uk and here en-gb.facebook.com/groups/SMAsiteminder/

 

[Keith 66]

PVC pipe Glassed over. No electrolysis, I seem to remember laying these up at Thames marine for use on the Mirages.

 

[Billy_Mizzen]

I agree, a grp tube is probably most sensible. Try Halyard or talk to the guys at Clements engineering. I imagine all you need is fairly simple plain bearings, try DC Marine in Norfolk or possibly Tides marine

 

[Keith 66]

Plain top hat bearings top & bottom, Make from Acetal or Tufnol. Do NOT use Nylon as it swells in water & will seize a rudder shaft solid. Been there done that!

 

[PeterWright]

I prefer to use a grp tube glassed in place for both rudder tubes and stern tubes for the prop shaft. Bonding grp to pvc can be a bit doubtful.

Of the two materials Keith66 proposes for the bearingS, I would go for acetal of which Delrin is the best known make - it's a high quality engineering plastic wnich machines nicely and, as Keith says, avoids the problem of nylon.

Peter.

 

[Keith 66]

The pvc drainpipe was only there as a former for the fibreglass tube, the pvc added no strength otherwise, we used to layup glass in a spiral fashion quite heavily. Because the grp shrinks a bit on curing there was no getting the pvc out afterwards!