My Rudder Post, She Is Crying

[nolandinsight]

Water is coming in from where the rudder post goes through the hull on my Morgan 35. I don't think it should do that. Anyone know how these rudders are put together, and what I might do to stop the leak? We just bought her, and at some point during the next month we've got to get her home, about a days sail, overnight if we run in to delays.

[Astrid]

I could be wrong, but I think Morgan's use a stuffing box similar to one for a prop shaft, and these need to be repacked in much the same way from time to time.

[nolandinsight]

Can I do that without hauling her out?

[Charlie]

I agree with Astrid. The pictures show what looks to be a stuffing box. You can repair them while still in the water. Depending on where the water level is in relation to the rudder stuffing box you might be able to load the bow with a lot of weight and raise the stuffing box above the waterline but I don't know if that will be possible on your boat.

[Astrid]

I wouldn't try it unless you knew absolutely what you were doing; and you might need a whole new stuffing box, if indeed that is what I am looking at in the photo. It is possible you may need a new rudder shaft bearing as well. If they get worn enough, they will eventually lead to a failure of the stuffing box packing.

[model 10]

Sure but it may only need to be tightened. The bilge pump (s) and some rags around the shaft will keep up with the water. You might want to know what you are about to do before you take it apart though.

[nolandinsight]

Thanks all, I certainly want to know what it is I'm about to do. Sink my boat for one....not an option. A leak I can deal with until I can get it somewhere to have it hauled out. My concern is getting it into the gulf and tacking east for a 12-24 sail home and the rudder falling out.

[nolandinsight]

Don't get me wrong... I love a swim, but not when it started out as a sail!

[bstreep]

As others have said, probably a stuffing box. I did ours about a year ago, in the water. Not a problem. I also did our prop shaft in the water - again, not a problem. Took Walmart bags and stuffed them around the shaft, in the water. Got very little water.

[nolandinsight]

Great idea! +1 for using the noodle

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Astrid

I could be wrong, but I think Morgan's use a stuffing box similar to one for a prop shaft, and these need to be repacked in much the same way from time to time.

That is correct. The Morgan 35 uses a stuffing box on the rudder post.

[Cheechako]

Wow, they were too cheap to put a little more tube up off the hull I guess huh? If they'd done that it would be above the waterline and you could repack it in the water.

[Nicholson58]

Don't know what type of bearing it might need but you can deal directly with IGUS and pay way less for the part. My 2-1/2 inch bore lower bearing cost me 7.50 shipped directly to my desk at work. good luck.

igus® - Energieketten, Leitungen, Gleitlager, Gelenklager und Linearsysteme

[nolandinsight]

Very cool, thanks so much!

[NahanniV]

Can't tell how fast the water is coming in.

If it's just weeping, I would leave it alone till you haul the boat. I would go ahead and sail, but keep an eye on it.

Then when you haul out drop the rudder, take everything apart, inspect and renew as needed.

Tightening or re-packing the stuffing box might work, or might cause a new problem, and it won't give you a chance to inspect the rudder stock.

It's good to get to know all the hidden bits on a new boat.

Cheers,
JM.