Rudder Removal. Adriatic Yachts - Alpha 48

[Artful_Dodger]

I'm looking for any information that would help me remove the rudder on my Adriatic Yachts Alpha 48 Ketch. I'd also be very grateful for any information re. the design and build in general as I now very little about the boat other than what is available on Sailboatdata.com.

I have excessive play in the lower rudder bearing where the rudder sits on the support at the aft end of the keel. I understand there must be a removable 'shoe' or bracket of some kind hidden in there, any guidance would be great.

Cheers Peter

[tkeithlu]

There are only so many ways to build something, and the manufacturer did not design this rudder so that it could not be removed. That's a promise.

The most likely bet is a removable shoe. Take a wire brush on your grinder and start clearing away the bottom paint, looking for joints (cracks) and bolt heads. Include under the foot, although that is less likely.

Other options require that we recognize that the designer was a sadist. Things like pulling a tube up from above. I doubt it. Come back if it turns out to be a real head scratcher.

[chowdan]

Clean up the area some more as the previous poster said.

There should be a shoe somewhere there. Previous owner may have glassed over it as well

[Artful_Dodger]

Thanks tkeithlu and chowdan, I'd come to the same conclusion myself and had started exploring as you can see from one of the photos. I was hoping that there would be someone out there with experience and information specific to the design in the hope that it would save me some digging and grinding.

[chowdan]

Originally Posted by Artful_Dodger

Thanks tkeithlu and chowdan, I'd come to the same conclusion myself and had started exploring as you can see from one of the photos. I was hoping that there would be someone out there with experience and information specific to the design in the hope that it would save me some digging and grinding.

Keep us updated, I am curious to know how it goes. I hate grinding glass but as a glass boat owner, it's something I just get used too.

One thing you could do is reach out to the previous owner to see if they have any information?