Yankee 30 Message Board

Posted by andy on 4/13/2005, 4:24 pm
205.188.116.202

I removed the cap on the threaded bronze pipe thru hull fitting where the rudder post comes thru the hull, right down at the hull. There was a cap that the rudder shaft went right thru and a backing nut below the cap on the threaded pipe. I slid the cap up the rudder shaft and expected to find some sort of packing between the shaft and the thru-pipe. No such thing there. The rudder shaft fits tight in the pipe. I've picked at it and can't see any stuffing or any room to fit ANYTHING for that matter. I even put a bead of machine oil at the pipe and thru-fitting contact under the cap. The oil won't even suck into the seam. The oil has been sitting there for 3 weeks even though I keep moving the rudder back & forth trying to free it up and get the oil into the shaft to pipe contact. Can't figure it out. It still operates with difficulty. Looking up from the outside it looks like there is some sort of plastic liner between pipe and shaft going through the hull. I don't hear or feel metal on metal, thankfully. There must be something keeping the two metal sufaces from contacting, but why so tight? Is this normal? This rudder assembly is new to me. Has anyone else had this trouble? Any suggestions appreciated. Going back in the water soon. Thanks.