Westerly Fulmar Rudder bearings

[tt65]

We have taken rudder out because there was lots of play in the bottom and fluttering sometimes when sailing at speed. Top bearing is fine. We find that the bottom bearing is fine and a nice close fit to the shaft. However we also find that the bearing itself is very loose in the bottom of the rudder tube, (it came straight out with the rudder itself). This is where all the play is.
Any suggestions in refitting bearing to hull, I guess it may have to be taken out again one day. Bearing is made of graphite impregnated nylon.
Any issues with alignment?

<hr width=100% size=1>Tim T

 

[pvb]

Ask Trafalgar...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.westerly-yachts.co.uk/spares.html>Trafalgar Yacht Services</A> are the people to ask about this.

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[jerryat]

Hi TT65,

I've got a Fulmar and, when I first purchased the boat secondhand, found the bottom bearing a little loose in the rudder tube. I had none of the 'fluttering' to which you refer, but didn't want the wear to get worse. I removed the rudder (an easy job) took out the bearing which, as in your case, was a good fit to the stock and thoroughly degreased the inside of the tube with solvent after abrading it with a file. I abraded the outside of the bearing similarly and degreased that too, before bedding the whole thing back into place using Araldite, replacing the rudder immediately so that the bearing effectively 'self-aligned' before the adhesive hardened.

Of course, Araldite will not adhere to the nylon filled polyGodknowswhat(!) but it did eliminate any play at all. This was done almost 15 years ago and it has never moved since. Indeed, I bought replacement bearings (top and bottom) from Westerly long before their demise, in case the existing ones ever gave up, but they haven't, and I still have them!

I'm in the middle of a major refit at the moment and decided to check the bearings a few weeks ago by removing them to get a more accurate measurement of any wear. The top one came out with no problem and I have fitted the new one as this had worn on the flat top section that takes the vertical weight of the rudder, but the bottom, Araldited one, refused to budge!

Well, as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!! The wear is still minimal despite circa 45K miles in my ownership, so I shall refit the rudder on completion of the refit, and sail on.

I hope this helps you.

Good sailing!


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[oscularity]

Hi TT65,

I've got a Fulmar and, when I first purchased the boat secondhand, found the bottom bearing a little loose in the rudder tube. I had none of the 'fluttering' to which you refer, but didn't want the wear to get worse. I removed the rudder (an easy job) took out the bearing which, as in your case, was a good fit to the stock and thoroughly degreased the inside of the tube with solvent after abrading it with a file. I abraded the outside of the bearing similarly and degreased that too, before bedding the whole thing back into place using Araldite, replacing the rudder immediately so that the bearing effectively 'self-aligned' before the adhesive hardened.

Of course, Araldite will not adhere to the nylon filled polyGodknowswhat(!) but it did eliminate any play at all. This was done almost 15 years ago and it has never moved since. Indeed, I bought replacement bearings (top and bottom) from Westerly long before their demise, in case the existing ones ever gave up, but they haven't, and I still have them!

I'm in the middle of a major refit at the moment and decided to check the bearings a few weeks ago by removing them to get a more accurate measurement of any wear. The top one came out with no problem and I have fitted the new one as this had worn on the flat top section that takes the vertical weight of the rudder, but the bottom, Araldited one, refused to budge!

Well, as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!! The wear is still minimal despite circa 45K miles in my ownership, so I shall refit the rudder on completion of the refit, and sail on.

I hope this helps you.

Good sailing!


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Good morning. I hope you don't mind me contacting you but I plan to remove my Fulmar rudder and would appreciate your advice on on the procedure. Tiller is off and boat is on the hard.
Also have you any idea of the clearance below the hull needed to get it clear?

 

[footsoldier]

Oscularity

I suspect you may struggle a little. You are trying to re-open a thread that is 19 yrs old, through a user who was last here in 2011

 

[Bodach na mara]

Oscularity

I suspect you may struggle a little. You are trying to re-open a thread that is 19 yrs old, through a user who was last here in 2011

More practically:-
1. Start a new thread and
2. Go to the WOA website where there is a technical section and forum specifically for Westerly owners.
If you are not a member it's worth coughing up the £17.50 per year. I think that the forum can be accessed by non members.

Westerly owners are a practical bunch and they are a useful resource for how to deal with problems and Concerto of this parish is a Fulmar owner.