Chaotic River Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Got my first boat in August, only had a hull survey done, and was advised that the bottom rudder bearing needed replacing. Now I have been using the boat I realise that the top bearing (or bush) is in need of repair. The rudder is sloppy, feels like a bearing has lost it's balls, and at cruising speed I need to use my hip to force the rudder over. The boat is a 1975 Teddesley, 30 footer, steel hull, with GRP top. I wonder if anyone can advise me on the rudder bearing arrangement. I have searched on here I can't seem to find any that look like this. Above deck Below deck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizzard Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Got my first boat in August, only had a hull survey done, and was advised that the bottom rudder bearing needed replacing. Now I have been using the boat I realise that the top bearing (or bush) is in need of repair. The rudder is sloppy, feels like a bearing has lost it's balls, and at cruising speed I need to use my hip to force the rudder over. The boat is a 1975 Teddesley, 30 footer, steel hull, with GRP top. I wonder if anyone can advise me on the rudder bearing arrangement. I have searched on here I can't seem to find any that look like this. Above deck _DSC0192.jpg Below deck _DSC0189.jpg Mmm, why is that rudder stock tube bound up? Looks a bit suspicious, has it rusted through? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 My guess is there is no bearing, just the rudder stock in the steel tube. Note what Biz says, looks suspicious to me - despite the survey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 ........... despite the survey. I never cease to be amazed at the people who imagine a survey will reveal faults. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 But that is hardly hidden and unless a hull thickness only was specified I would suggest the integrity of an exposed rudder tube is part of a hull survey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaotic River Posted January 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Thank you for the opinions, helpful as always. The survey was just a hull survey, so the surveyor didn't look inside the boat. To me it looks like either Denso tape, or fibre glass on the tube, have not crawled that far in between the fuel tanks. I suspect the Tony is correct, the whole thing just moves around in the deck, so might have worn the deck plate. The boat is needs to come out of the water for blacking soon, so I will have to investigate further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Thank you for the opinions, helpful as always. The survey was just a hull survey, so the surveyor didn't look inside the boat. To me it looks like either Denso tape, or fibre glass on the tube, have not crawled that far in between the fuel tanks. I suspect the Tony is correct, the whole thing just moves around in the deck, so might have worn the deck plate. The boat is needs to come out of the water for blacking soon, so I will have to investigate further. I definitely wouldn't poke it while its in the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain_S Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 (snip) I suspect the Tony is correct, the whole thing just moves around in the deck, so might have worn the deck plate. (snip) When you say "the whole thing", does that include the bit the rudder stock is passing through, on the deck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizzard Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 The thing on the deck looks like a non ferrous metal separate plain top bearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaotic River Posted January 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 The thing on the deck looks like a non ferrous metal separate plain top bearing. Yes, thats is what it looks like to me. When you say "the whole thing", does that include the bit the rudder stock is passing through, on the deck? Yes, the top plain bearing is loose and rotates with the rudder. If I push the rudder back and forth, the top bearing moves a few millimeters in the deck. My guess is that the bolt in the rudder tube used to hold the bearing, but due to corrosion on the tube, the bearing has been rotating in the deck. I will take some measurements this afternoon to see if it's possible to replace the plain bearing with a flanged ball bearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 An easy to replace plastic bush might be better than a ball bearing, ball bearings and water are not a good match. The stuff from Warstock engineering is common on boats and Midland Chandlers etc stock it. If you need welding and new holes drilling etc it might be worth doing a re-work to use these common parts. I suggest then when you come out for blacking you choose a yard who has good welding and engineering skills and facilities rather than just a routine blackers. ...........Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaotic River Posted January 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 An easy to replace plastic bush might be better than a ball bearing, ball bearings and water are not a good match. The stuff from Warstock engineering is common on boats and Midland Chandlers etc stock it. If you need welding and new holes drilling etc it might be worth doing a re-work to use these common parts. I suggest then when you come out for blacking you choose a yard who has good welding and engineering skills and facilities rather than just a routine blackers. ...........Dave Thanks for that Dave, well worth considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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