Rudder slop

After replacing my rudders I discovered a good bit of fore/aft movement when it is in the down position. Is this indicative of the cam wearing out? There is some slop were the pin connects the assemble, but there is something going on inside the housing. This picture explains my need to replace one rudder! The result of Fridays vigorous sailing! Thanks for the input.

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Mims, FL

This won't help your problem, but I have to ask: what model of camera did you use to take the picture? Or did you do some editing to it? The photo looks so clean I had to look twice to see if it was a rendering...!!

Ha. Okay, It's an old Canon I can't bring myself to replace... the A520. Only 4mp. Had it for years. Funny story: My wife and I had it in the backyard a few years ago taking pictures of a project. A week or so later we needed it and realized we had left it in the backyard, hanging from a tree branch, for a week, in the rain/dew/sun. We took it down, pressed the power button and it fired right up and has worked flawlessly ever since! Tough camera! (no editing btw)

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Mims, FL

Your upper rudder casting is not adjustable. The only way to eliminate the slop is to either shim the lower casting or redrill the rudder (upper hole only). Redrilling is probably better as this will pull the rudder under the boat and give you less tiller load.

There are three upper holes drilled already(its a used rudder). Guess i'll just have to try the others or drill a forth! Thanks.

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Mims, FL

You might try to find a later model ('84 and later I think) set of adjustable upper rudder arm castings.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mattson/hobi ... ature2.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~mattson/hobi ... ature2.htm
http://www.catsail.com/archives/v2-i7/feature3.htm

It's winter and these three links are excellent and good food for thought on rudders.
Cut and paste , enjoy.

ChrisD