After a chat with Catalina Direct (no shims available), I was directed to West Systems, where I got the audio crash-course in epoxy rudder shaft shimming. Say THAT 5 times real fast....
The procedure is this: 1) drop the rudder. 2) clean rudder shaft and tube thoroughly. 3) drill three holes (1/4") near the bottom of the tube, every 120 degrees. 4) coat the bottom 6" of the shaft with Vaseline and reinsert, without getting any on the walls. 5) mix up a small amount of West System repair epoxy with silica. 6) using a syringe, squirt a SMALL amount of epoxy into each hole - the spot on the inside should be about the size of a dime! Fill the 3 holes so that the epoxy is anchored to the tube AND so you don't leak below the waterline! 7) let epoxy cure, then twist rudder to break bond. If rudder is too tight, pull it out and hone the inside of the tube for a better fit and feel. Now, I'm not sure if a dime sized "pad" is a long-term solution, but apparently only a little is needed to make a huge change in the clearance. Caveat - if your rudder shaft is bent, the limited clearance will cause the rudder to bind. If you glue you rudder in place, don't blame me! John On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 4:52 PM, Phil Agur <[email protected]> wrote: > > > John, > > > > I think there’s an iPhone app for that! > > > > I haven’t done it nor seen it done but there is a graphite loaded epoxy > that is cast in place. It’s either a Forespar or Harken Product but I’d have > to do some research or have a better memory to determine which. My hazy > recall on procedure says the tube bore is cleaned & prepped for adhesion, > the rudder shaft is treated with a release agent, and then with the rudder > up in place you pour the mixed epoxy from above. After it sets up you find > out if you can steer again. > > > > *Phil Agur* *s/v** Wing > Tip*<http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/profile270.htm> > C270 LE #184 MMSI 366901790 > > > Warning: This is hazy recall and I’ve had a well respected west coast > fiberglass repair shop put on two seminars locally. So it could be something > he does but it might not be a DIY project. > > > > *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of > *John Downing > *Sent:* Sunday, August 29, 2010 7:28 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* [IC27A] Rudder shims? > > > > > > Amazing the number of questions that pop up after a production weekend of > boat rehab.... > > > > There is about 1/8' of slop in the rudder at the bottom. Is there a shim > to compensate for wear? Another factory/aftermarket part or solution? > Seems like a replaceable bearing would be a better design. > > > > John > > > > >
