Issue 3
April 2012
Section 6
Rudder & Skeg
Rudder and Tiller
The basic construction of the rudder is a stainless steel frame
(though some frames of mild steel are known to exist), encased in a
GRP moulding, and filled with foam. Welded tangs secure the frame
to the rudder stock. The foot of the rudder stock sits in a pintle
bolted to the skeg. The geometry at the foot of the rudder is not
good. The stock runs through a plain bearing on the underside of the
hull, and through a stainless steel plate holding a (replaceable) nylon
bearing at the top of the housing in the cockpit. The stock also runs
up through a tube glassed to the bottom of the hull. Although the top
of this is open, it is above the waterline,thus effectively sealing the
lazarette from water ingress. The tiller pivots vertically in an alloy
tiller head casting, which is internally tapered to fit the taper on the
rudder stock. The head casting is held either by a screw into the rudder stock, or by a nut on the
threaded end of the stock. There is also a grub screw through the side of the casting which
locates in an indentation in the rudder stock.
If the GRP moulding becomes damaged by accident, or repeated heavy grounding, it can lose its
integrity, allowing water to ingress. If the internal structure is of mild steel, then this rusts, and
the fault in the GRP becomes more pronounced. Repair of this critical item is sometimes possible;
if this is not practicable, replacement units are available through the Association’s approved
supplier, Hurst Marine (
Hurst Marine
), though not from stock.
The original tiller was shaped from a solid piece of hardwood. Replacements, which are available
from Hurst Marine, are now made from laminated strip-wood. The head casting was originally a
cast alloy fitting, which is easily fractured, either when trying to remove it, or by over-tightening
the bolt through the jaws in an attempt to eliminate slackness when the tiller pivots. The modern
equivalent, also available from Hurst Marine, is machined from solid stainless steel.
Skeg
The construction is similar to that of the rudder. The whole unit is bolted to the hull via studs, the
nuts of which are accessible, through the lazarette. The nuts are flo-coated for protection.
The usual problem with the skeg is identical to that of the rudder, ie the ingress of water. The
deterioration of the structure is sometimes sufficient to allow the skeg to move laterally.
Replacement skegs are available via Hurst Marine.
Repair, Modifications etc
Reference Library
All About
Rudder
s
Loose
Tiller
Rudder
Schematic
Skeg
Redesign
(this refers to the L27 but the principles are applicable to the L23)
Skeg
Removal
Forum
Rudder
and
Skeg
Repair
Rudder
Rumble
Rudder
Split
Rudder
Stock Play
Skeg
Bolt Weeping
Skeg
Drainhole
Tiller
Extension
Tiller
Rot
16
