Rudder Cam Removal

Does anyone know how to remove the factory pin in the rudder assembly that goes through the cam and allows it to rotate? I need to replace the plunger in the rudder assembly, and to do so it must be inserted through the top which means removing the cam.

The replacement pin is actually a screw which is easily installed and removed, but the cam "pin" on my rudder is not actually a pin but a hollow tube of aluminum, and on each end is a hollow aluminum "funnel" with flared ends that holds the hollow pin in place. I have tried gently hammering out the pin with the tip of an awl placed at the pin-funnel interface, but no dice. There must be a simple trick to it, I just can't figure it out.

I just bought the boat, and was darn near blown out to sea my first time on the water trying to manhandle the disfunctional rudder that would not remain in the down position so I could get back to shore! I'm side-lined until I can fix this -- help, please!

There's not really an elegant way to do it that I know if. Just carefully drill the pin out. Choose a drill bit sized to cut away one flared end so that you can push the pin out the other side. It may take some puttering - if I recall correctly, the pin has a tendancy to spin with the drill instead of staying put so you can drill through it. Just be careful, as you want to avoid drilling into the casting behind the pin too (don't worry if you dig into it a bit though).

Last time I did this, I noticed when I installed the new cam with the sister screws that even after completely tightening the screws, there was still lots of slop for the cam to move around in. Has anyone else noticed this, or are my castings just more worn than most? I solved the problem with a small washer.

_________________
-Bill

Conesus Lake, NY
1976 Hobie 14

Bill,

I have the same problem. I didn't bother to fix it as there seems to be no issues because of this.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Drilling out would be the first route. If you can't get the pin to drill out, you could always cut it with a hacksaw and slide out from either end. You would most likely end up wrecking the plastic cam doing so, but they are realatively cheap to replace (and might need replacing anyway).

What is wrong with the pluger that it needs to be replaced?

sm