Need help with rudders and shafts

[rwappleton]

As our girl has not had regular maintenance we have run into some issues in the yard that we need advice and help on. We will be at the boat next week but suggestions will help prior to our arrival.

First the yard is having problems getting the rudder stuffing boxes apart (they were leaking and very dirty and corroded). Anyone know a trick? The sleeve that pushes down on the packing seems to be corroded to the outside. Last choice is pull the rudders.

Next is both shafts need to be pulled. Port for bad stuffing box and Starboard appears to be backing out of the coupling. While shafts are out should they be checked for wear and how much is acceptable? I would assume that they need to be checked for true and possibly polished?

We are going to have the wheels worked over while they are off. Suggestions please. We are happy with speed and rpm but thinking about balancing and a slight cup. More suggestions!

A shop close to Charleston would be helpful.

As always many thanks!

Russ and The Admiral

 

[carolinacoast]

I just sold a sailboat to some Charleston locals, and both they and the local broker were very happy with their yard choice - Ross Marine. I do not have any direct experience with them, but based on the comments, they did a much better job making everyone happy versus Hinckley in Savannah IMHO. Worth a look.

http://rossmarine.com/

 

[saltshaker]

You may want to check the cutlass bearings in the rudder ports while you're in there. Dropping the rudders is pretty simple if you've got reasonable access. I took everything out when I did mine. All that was left was the hole in the hull. This way you have all new fasteners and new bedding. I needed new cutlass bearings and the triangular rudder table bearings so removal made sense. I also had excellent access so the job was pretty simple. As for the shafts, if your going to do the work to pull them, it would be foolish not have them checked. You'll have some wear from the shaft log and possibly in the area of the struts. A good shop will tell you if it's excessive and a problem, it rarely is. Are you replacing the stuffing boxes or can they be repaired? Keep in mind if you go with dripless shaft seals, the shaft needs to be near perfect where the seal is. If your shafts have wear or crevice corrosion, they need to be fixed before the new seals go on.

 

[Fanfare]

A good shop can make your shafts like new, including adding metal to worn spots. If you choose the Tidesmarine dripless seals (now used by Hatteras) add extra seals in their storage carrier while the shafts are out. Now is also the time to consider adding line cutters to the shafts.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Agree on shaft reconditioning. I have PSS seals which have performed well; the Tides ones are just as good. I think Jack is right about dropping the entire rudder gear, if you can afford to do it- clean up and recondition everything you can, and it will be less trouble later on.

 

[dsharp]

Look at the shafts from the rear when you haul the boat out. If the rudders aren't offset to the sides a little you're going to have to drop the rudders anyway to pull the shafts. I guess you could drop the struts but that would be a lot of extra work. Ospho should clean up the rudder boxes. If you have a shaft backing out it sounds like the coupling to shaft fit is too loose. I've never had a shaft built up. I don't think it would be worth the trouble for the size shaft you're talking about.