Rudder assembly [Colin]

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Colin wrote:

For the first time in my sailing career I have had to take my rudders apart to repair after running aground.

This was quite simple so I decided to service the other, only to find that the rudders are odd. The shoulder bolts on the second rudder has been fitted incorrectly and do not fit into the holes in the a-frame they are larger in size to the frame.
Should I drill out the a-frame to take the existing shoulder bolts or should I get some smaller shoulder bolts that the Lazer center hve not heard of ?

Colin

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Colin replied:

Sorry !
Shoulder washers not bolts.

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Bob replied:

I recommend that you talk to Brian Phipps (see under Windsport in the Suppliers section)who knows what he is talking about - rather than the Laser Centre who do not. If there has in the past been a smaller holed rudder stock Brian is likely to know.
Cheers
Bob

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Brian Phipps replied:

Hi Colin,
Not sure how old your frame is but if the holes are the size of the rudder bolt its self the frame is pre the modification they made along time ago when they add a bigger bearing surface with the shoulder weashers. Depending on that information and the condition of the holes now they could be drilled / reamed out but the important thing is they are kept square to each other and to the frame, bit tricky that!!
What ever I would suggest you fit the new style washers and rudder bolt sleeve to the assembly rather than the aluminium ones we used to use as the new ones do not get attacked by corrosion. You can see all that stuff on the www.catparts.windsport.co.uk website , look under rudders and tillers. I am back in the UK around the 7th Nov if you want to chat on the phone.
Hope that helps
Brian

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Colin replied:

The most fantastic thing about the Dart15 web site is that there is all ways someone out there who will help you out !

Thanks for the info.
Colin