Tartan 27 Rudder Repair?

[sailkeys92]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone can give me some info about rudder repair. I'm new to sailing. I bought a Tartan 27 two weeks ago and the rudder feels sloppy(loose) when well heeled. I'm hoping that there might be a simpler solution than a haul out and complete rebuild. Any good ways of testing it while in the water? Thanks.

[mitiempo]

I'm sure you will get answers from someone who knows the Tartan 27 but here's a link to the Tartan 27 owner's group where I'm sure they know more Tartan specific answers. T27Owners : Tartan 27 Owners Yahoo Group
It is a group worth joining.

[CalebD]

Thanks Brian.
When we first got our T27 about 10 years ago our rudder also had a bit of play in it. It turned out that where the rudder sits in the lower gudgeon there was a lot of play and the rudder could even slip out of the gudgeon. I used a bronze bearing like this: Mini-Sprint 7/8 Inch Torsion Bar Oilite Bronze Bushings
and ground it down until it nicely fit the space - no more slop!
The fitting at the top of the rudder post can also have some play in it.
Nice old boat.

[baboon]

Another thinng to look at is the conection of the shaft to the rudder. On tartan 30s the shaft has metal horizontal bands on the shaft inside a foam filled rudder. If you get water penatration they can rust and the shaft will develope play inside the foam. I am not sure the 27 is made the same way, but if there is no play in the shaft at the hull then it might be worthwhile to check out the rudder. I guess a diver could try to turn the rudder while a second person holds the tiller to see if the rudder rotates on the shaft. In the case I know about the owner had to pull the boat, but was able to split the rudder open, dry it out, re-weld the internal bands, and epoxy it all back together. Good luck, we have to keep these old tartan going.