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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2003 : 22:46:57

Charlie - One other thought for the future regarding this thread. I don't know if you were doing this, but considering the wind we had and the force required to shear those screws, if you're having to pull hard on the tiller to counteract weatherhelm (i.e., starting to pull the tiller up into your lap in the cockpit seat), then something is going to break (i.e., gudgeons, tiller, or rudder). When in doubt, let it out. These boats sail like a bat out of hell in those kind of winds, but they also start to get incredible weatherhelm. She'll actually sail faster, easier and more stable when the sails aren't holding too much air.

Shawn - Thanks for the tip. I know we all appreciate fresh ideas, and I, for one, will be checking into the J-24 system.

J.B. Manley, Antares '85 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2003 : 23:00:34

Charlie: Just to reiterate--I strongly urge you not to postpone checking the upper gudgeon bolts. At least cut into the inside of the transom and install a stock 4" circular deck plate so that you can access those bolts whenever you need to. I have learned the hard way that one rule of sailing is that things break when it is most inconvenient. As I said earlier in this thread, my rudder sued for divorce in a storm off Gloucester, Mass. I sail for relaxation, not to add to my stress.

Davd on "Wood Duck" (2616)

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Charlie Vick
Captain

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USA
423 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2003 : 13:40:46

The first thing I did was try to get one of the top gudgeon screws out but ended up rounding out the heads. (Those suckers are in there)Those will have to be drilled out anyway now. I'm thinking though if the top one is mounted like the bottom one is a 4" hole really enough room to work with while tearing out the old backing plate and installing a new one.
JB, actually I was at the mast lowering my sails when I saw the end of the tiller laying in the cockpit floor, a queasy sight for sure. I've learned a lot about her weaterhelm this past winter with the help of Don Guillette's book on sail trim and a GPS to let me know if what I'm doing is working, but before that I was just like you said, up against the side of the cockpit with the tiller in my lap. I'm sure that is the reason the screws weakened in the first place.

CVick
PanaceaII '81 C25 #2439 SRSK
Fort Smith, AR

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2003 : 16:04:25

Charlie... You could drill holes through the backer (it should be bronze--not too tough) and through-bolt the gudgeon with some washers and nylocks, using the existing backer but improving the purchase inside, maybe even with slightly larger bolts. You'd probably have to flatten out (sand or grind) whatever glass is over the backer, but I'd think that'd give you plenty of strength. That part of the transom is pretty strong. Just check the tighness periodically until everything is properly compressed. And don't forget the polysulfide--go finger-tight, let the caulk set up, and then crank it down.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - dave bristle on 08/19/2003 16:14:24

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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.