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 Balanced Rudder - SF Bay Sailing		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/31/2005 :  19:34:22  Show Profile
Well, lots of things intervened between late July and early October, including about a month of straight foggy days, but I finally got the new balanced rudder installed and I really like it.

The hardest part was creating the round hole for the access plate. But after a few hours of drilling, routing, and dremeling was able to make that work and the rest of the install was a breeze. I think I am glad I skipped trying to use a big hole saw, because the bolts were slightly off from where I started drilling and that could have been embarassing.

Have not had the chance to try it out in normal bay conditions because the last few weeks have been gorgeous, sunny, calm and moderate winds. We were out yesterday in the late afternoon, went just outside the golden gate with calm seas, winds about 10, and temp about 70. The tiller just needs an occasional nudge to steer, it really is like power steering! But the best part was returning in - we were accompanied by a school of porpoises a pretty rare sight in SF. One of the best sails ever!!!
Phredde
Catalina 25
San Francisco
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jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts
Response Posted - 11/01/2005 :  11:43:13  Show Profile
Phreddie,

By your description of the access hole, you installed thru-bolts for the upper gudgeon, correct? I assume you also thru-bolted the lowers?

I installed the balanced rudder about 4 years ago. Good results. Just keep in mind that the stresses on the rudder and attachments are still the same, it just makes it easier to steer. I even had two of the lower thru-bolts sheer. Then I installed bolts with a shoulder that went completely thru, instead of just threads.

I also installed a third set of gudgeons and pintle just above the water line like my Buddy Paul has.

SF Bay is a challenging place, especially for boats our size.

Have you backed your engine mount? With all the bouncing we get there is a lot of stress on the transom.

I am jealous about the porpoises. Never seen them. Have seen lots of sea lions, sharks at the gate and overpowered, inconsiderate stinkboats.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay (Brisbane)
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Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts
Response Posted - 11/01/2005 :  15:17:49  Show Profile
Yep, through bolted the gudgeons top and bottom with heavier 5/16" bolts. I used teak for a backing plate.

Engine mount seems fine as is, replaced the mount with the Garhauer and it works fine. But I only have an old 2 stroke Nissan 8hp, not sure what that weighs but I think its less than some of the newer 4 strokes.

And yep, I think that was the 4th time we spotted the porpoises, 3 of those times were right outside the gate, and then once on the lee side of Angel island. Usually in the fall for some reason. They are dark grey in color, about 3-6 feet long so can be kind of hard to spot, but once you do you usually notice many. This last time, I heard something that sounded like a whale's spout off in the distance, but it was a porpoise just a few yards off of my stern. Then we had about 30 sightings, but probably only about 10 different porpoises. It makes my day each time.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.