Columbia 9.6 upper rudder bearing

[ColinMurray]

Would anyone have any info on the upper rudder bearing used on a 1976 Columbia 9.6. Seems someone did a repair and not sure if what I'm seeing is correct. A pic would be great. The manual i have doesn't cover it. Thanks in advance. Colin...

[tkeithlu]

How about a picture and some dimensions? If we could see it also, we might say "Yeah, someone mucked up that job," and offer a route to a proper repair.

[tkeithlu]

Before we get the pictures, let's dig in a little. Is there any play in the connection between the tiller and the rudder post? Second, is there any play in the rudder shaft, as in wobble or shift in use? Third, is there any vertical travel in the shaft? Fourth, is there any binding or stiffness as you turn the rudder?

Yes to any of those, and Houston, we do have a problem. No to all, and it's time to go sailing unless you can name a problem I've forgotten.

[ColinMurray]

No there is no binding or excessive play and I've been sailing it as is for years now. It just doesn't look correct or strong enough. I'll get a pic next time I'm onboard.

[Greatest Lakes]

Are you talking about where it comes into the cockpit sole? Should be a small round block of wood as a spacer and the tube bushing part with the rudder shaft. Where it comes into the boat under the cockpit, the shaft is sealed with a stuffing box and packing nearly identical to the engine shaft packing. Bronze clamshell components holding the rudder on the skeg. Top of the rudder post in the cockpit floor should have the tiller arm block and its key, pedestal steering or not. I used some .005 plastic between the bronze fitting on the bottom of the skeg and the rudder shaft. Got rid of all my slop. If you are getting play, that's the most likely point.

[ColinMurray]

Yes the bearing is located to the underside of the cockpit sole. That is what i need to see. It would be great if you could take a few pics of that bearing.

[Greatest Lakes]

I'll see ifi can get some pictures next time I'm on the boat.

[Greatest Lakes]

Ok. I managed to get some. I need to do some work to mine. The wood bit is old and splitting. I'll probably replace with starboard. Hopefully this helps you figure out what you are looking at.

[Greatest Lakes]

And of course, the website inverted most of the pictures.

[ColinMurray]

Ok thanks so much for pics. The upper bearing on mine is mounted on the underside of the sole with an inspection cover on the top side to conceal the rudder shaft connection for emergency steering attachment, i presume. For your interest i'll post a few pics of the differences. According to the serial # this would be hull #16 built in March, 1976.

[Greatest Lakes]

Other than being a 76' I don't know what my numbers indicate in relation to yours.

[ColinMurray]

Ok here's a few pics of my setup. My hull 16 would have had tiller steering so perhaps someone later added the wheel setup and made the bearing changes.

[Greatest Lakes]

Definitely different.