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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

gudgeon advice

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John J.
Navigator

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USA
157 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/26/2003 : 20:07:07

The sealant around my lower gudgeon appears to be in rough shape. Can I just clean that area up and apply new sealant or caulk around that plate? If so, what kind of sealant do you suggest? The boat has been in indoor storage for 10 yrs. so I don't know if there are any leaks there or not.

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eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2003 : 20:16:56

John,

I would use a polysulphide caulk. But, I would also upgrade the gudgeons while the boat is out of the water (I assume it is since you said it was in dry storage for the last 10 years). Catalina Direct has some heavy duty units that, combined with better backing plates, will be worth the investment down the road.

Eric Werkowitz
C25 #4969

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Barry
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2003 : 17:50:13

Just a heads up for those installing new gudgeons. I just changed mine this morning, started by cutting a hole in the inside of the cockpit to gain access to the nuts on the upper set. Once opened I found the nuts to be solidly glassed in...really solid! The embedded nuts were so buried and solid that I was able to take out all 3 bolts and reinstall them without having to gain access to the nuts. Unfortunately now I have a cap in the cockpit. The lower set of nuts held as well and installation was a breeze.

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John J.
Navigator

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USA
157 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2003 : 18:32:42

What is the advantage of upgrading these gudgeons, they appear to be solid enough and in good shape, only the sealant looks bad?

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Barry
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2003 : 18:52:19

My upper gudgeon was bent...the new set from CD is heavy duty and has bushings.
If yours are in good shape, I'd just reseal.

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jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2003 : 15:17:18

John,

Good question, if it works don't screw with it.

However...

There are two problems that are often discussed on the board.

Problem One - The gudgeons and pintles wear on each other, over time causing significant and annoying slop in the steering. Since the pintles are much longer than the bearing surface of the gudgeons, either replacing the gudgeon or having a rebushing installed (which I did for $40)will stop the slop. I figure by the time the pintles wear down again where they contact the bushing I'll be long gone. A little grease from time to time helps.

Problem Two - The screws that hold the gudgeons to the transom can (will) work loose. Several of us have had the experience of losing steering because one or the other of the gudgeons got too loose. The best fix is to install thru bolts and a robust backer plate inside the transom. But you see, the upper gudgeon area is between the cockpit shell and the transom, so you have to install an access port to get at'em. It is no big deal to cut a hole in the thin fiberglass on the cockpit side and install a port. Mine is a 4" Beckson screw in type ($10.99 West Marine).
The lower gudgeon access area is from the quarter berth There are several posts in the archives on how to do this upgrade.

I suggest that before you put the boat in the water that you do the upgrades and reseal in one step. It will save you grief later.

While you are at it replace your to-hulls with thru-hulls.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
Half Moon Bay, CA

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2003 : 21:29:21

I just replaced my gudgeons with the Catalina Direct upgrade models. Not even close in quality. The new ones are so much better, and have plastic bushings and gussett plates. Very solid. I installed them with machine bolts. Had to use a Beckson access plate on the transom too. Sealed it with 4200. I won't have to do that job again for a long time.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2003 : 22:39:44

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Good question, if it works don't screw with it.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Aaaahhh,

"If it ain't broke, you're not try'n!"

Red Green

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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.