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Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board
Possible causes for leak around Rudder
Posted By: JohnV8r
Date: Sunday, 8 May 2005, at 4:53 p.m.
My starboard rudder has had a small trickle leak for the last few years. It has not been anything too significant and literally has looked like a small capillary of water slowly trickling down from the rudder log. It has been more annoying than anything else, but recently it has become a little worse.
I attempted to tighten down on the packing, but that did nothing. I then had the rudder log repacked. That didn't work. So, when I have Shambala hauled later this summer for new bottom paint I am going to have the yard take a closer look.
When I had the rudder repacked and that didn't work, the yard manager stated the rudder log may be cracked and need to be replaced. I have privately wondered if it isn't more likely that the rudder shafts have somehow become corroded or pitted and that is causing the leak.
Any thoughts on what the possible cause(s) may be?
I haven't had any corrosion problems like shaft pitting on the propeller shafts, etc. Does that mean the shafts on the rudders are likely not pitted/corroded either? What is involved in replacing a rudder log if in fact there is a crack? Is is likely that a rudder log has cracked?
I'm just trying to get a read on the possible culprits so I can be in position to have the right parts for the necessary remedy when I haul out. Given that Capt. Patrick's rudder lead time is stated as 2-3 weeks, I need to know if the rudder shaft is the likely source so that I can get an order in to coincide with the haul out. If it's likely another source, then I would like to know in advance what/where the best replacement source is.
Thanks in advance.
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