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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 rudder downhaul		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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mdidomenico
1st Mate

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71 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/16/2014 :  06:16:05  Show Profile
I took my (new to me) 1995 250WB out this past weekend for the first time. it was a little windy for sailing, but we motored out and bobbed for a bit.

To get out into the bay I have to travel along a channel which seems to get a little shallow in parts and it kicked up my rudder. Turns out the rudder doesn't kick back down and doesn't seem to have a downhaul rope.

The cheek clamps seems to hold it down nicely, until I bump something. then i have to loosen the clamps and stick my leg through the rail to push it back down with my foot. (which is a little precarious while under way)

My question is, am I supposed to have something to pull the rudder back down? Am I missing some part in the system?

thanks
Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts
Response Posted - 06/16/2014 :  08:03:14  Show Profile  Visit Arlyn Stewart's Homepage
The original design did not provide a pull down line. In fact, the original design was poor in many respects. It uses what I call a rivet detent hold down design, where rivets inserted into the rudder, when their heads align with holes in the rudder head, hold that position when the rudder head halves are clamped under pressure.

The problem is the rivets quickly wear at the hole and soon the rudder is positioned somewhat aft which causes the helm to suffer great loads due to the rudder not holding a forward position against the rudder head frame.

Fortunately, one can discard the original system in trade for a better. What is required is to remove and discard the rivets and add a cheek block, cleat and bungee line to the rudder head. Use of a bungee provides for a pull down line as well as an automatic pull down following a grounding.



http://pages.suddenlink.net/arlyn/sailing/rudderheadmods.html

If the screws are difficult to remove from the rudder head, the rivet heads can be drilled free of the rivet bodies to remove.
Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 06/16/2014 08:05:47
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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.