Cal 2-30 Rudder is stubborn

I recently noticed that my tiller requires more effort to turn it. I'm getting conflicting feedback as to the issue. I thought I might have kelp in there, but others think the bushing is shot. Is there a bushing? Is there a bearing? Is there just a tube? I can't haul out until mid-May because the yards are so busy right now here in MDR. As you all know, it is a spade rudder, the tiller post goes from the cockpit sole, through the lazarette and out. Thoughts?

I had the a similar (if not identical) issue with my '72 Cal-29 at the end of last season, I checked everything but in the end dropped the rudder when I got her out of the water - despite undoing everything on the quadrant it would still not budge, in the end it took a lot of effort to drag down but eventually came out with a small section of the sleeve which must have broken off and dropped down - effectively doubling the width of the sleeve. if it it's the same then nothing to be done but drop the rudder I'm afraid. Grae Morrison 1972 Cal-29 #437 'Destiny' Red Bank, NJ On 4/17/2015 18:13, r_… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats] wrote: > > I recently noticed that my tiller requires more effort to turn it. I'm > getting conflicting feedback as to the issue. I thought I might have > kelp in there, but others think the bushing is shot. Is there a > bushing? Is there a bearing? Is there just a tube? I can't haul out > until mid-May because the yards are so busy right now here in MDR. As > you all know, it is a spade rudder, the tiller post goes from the > cockpit sole, through the lazarette and out. > Thoughts? > > >

ahhhh, a sleeve, eh? There's really no way to tell without dropping the rudder. My main concern is that if I continue racing, would I risk losing the rudder? Or is it just going to be a nuisance?

to be honest, I don't think I, or anyone else, would be in a position to pass judgement without actually examining it. As far as I was concerned it wasn't working as it should and I wasn't happy till I knew what the problem was - don't want to be a couple of miles offshore, thinking about it,closer even may be more dangerous, and the rudder go - for my money I'd pull the rudder and have it checked. On 4/17/2015 18:27, r_… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats] wrote: > > ahhhh, a sleeve, eh? There's really no way to tell without dropping > the rudder. My main concern is that if I continue racing, would I risk > losing the rudder? Or is it just going to be a nuisance? > >

I have two words, Foss Foam. The rudder is probably full of water, and when you drop it you'll find out. I had to do that with my 29, bought a new elliptical model from Foss and have much improved performance, even under power. That's Foss in Cal, not Fla. Wasn't cheap, hey, it's a boat part.David Dobbs CAL29 411 On Friday, April 17, 2015 5:37 PM, "grae morrison gr… [at] gtmorrison.net [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: to be honest, I don't think I, or anyone else, would be in a position to pass judgement without actually examining it. As far as I was concerned it wasn't working as it should and I wasn't happy till I knew what the problem was - don't want to be a couple of miles offshore, thinking about it,closer even may be more dangerous, and the rudder go - for my money I'd pull the rudder and have it checked. On 4/17/2015 18:27, r_… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats] wrote: ahhhh, a sleeve, eh? There's really no way to tell without dropping the rudder. My main concern is that if I continue racing, would I risk losing the rudder? Or is it just going to be a nuisance?

How does the rudder fill with water? It was hauled out last month and looked to be in perfect shape.

Here it is from last month.

Mine was wet inside, I wouldn't say it was filled but the join between the stock and fibreglass was definitely loose so could have been that. Another reason to dopr and completely overhaul - I drilled, drained, dried, filled and sanded over the winter followed by three coats of barrier coat before the antifoul - going to re-hang this weekend. G On 4/17/2015 22:09, r_… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats] wrote: > > How does the rudder fill with water? It was hauled out last month and > looked to be in perfect shape. > >

If you can discern increasing friction in your rudder removal would be wise to address the issue . I have only recently purchased a 34' so my Cal knowledge is limited but from experience dropping a rudder on the hard is not difficult. Clarence Baker 1975 34'