Vibrating Tiller

[gbendaly]

Hi to all
my boat is a 27 monohull with a skeg mounted rudder
I have always felt vibrations in the tiller as soon as I sail past 4.5 knots.
I dove under at many occasions to investigate the rudder and its post but every thing seemed OK.
does any one have an idea as to what maybe causing these tremors ? they feel as if the rudder plan is hitting something below the hull
they are only noticeable when sailing
but disappear at low speed or when motoring
thanks
george

[Tim88]

Do you have a shaft & prop infront of the rudder, and if so is it a folding or fixed prop? Just curious.

[Chattcatdaddy]

This thread is just asking for a joke! Some people pay good money for a problem such as yours.

So now its out of the way!

[gbendaly]

Originally Posted by Tim88

Do you have a shaft & prop infront of the rudder, and if so is it a folding or fixed prop? Just curious.

ideed the propeller is a 3 blade fixed one on a shaft

[gbendaly]

bad boy you !

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha,
Usually it is a loose gudgeon and pintle that allows vibration at speed. Is there any slop when you wiggle the rudder back and forth while your inspecting it underwater?
Good luck in isolating the problem.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[SkiprJohn]

Oops, I see that you have a rudder post. You might want to see if there is any play in the post as its attached to the rudder. Also tighten the tiller to post connection if it is a bit loose. Can the prop spin freely while sailing and set up a harmonic vibration? Maybe trying to sail with the prop secured might give you a clue as to what might be happening.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Chattcatdaddy

This thread is just asking for a joke! Some people pay good money for a problem such as yours.

So now its out of the way!

Uh, hu. I was just going to write that you could use it to pleasure your missus, when you're not in the mood. I almost resisting writing that.

[Cheechako]

I have had it on boats also, I figured it was one of two things: the rudder shape isnt perfect and the imbalance make it vibrate when it gets to higher speed, or....the fixed prop is rotating and causing the water to vibrate the tiller/rudder...