E30+ Rudder Install Specs

[Dave G.]

Good evening,
I am looking for E30+ rudder install specs. When inspecting the rudder (boat on cradle) I found that I could lift the whole assembly approx. 1/2" when the rudder is in the dead ahead position. When fully turned to port or starboard you cannot lift at all. After hashing this through with another member here I am inclined to believe this may be normal although. However I could be just a little to optimistic. I would like to confirm that either by having the specs for install or another E30+ owner who can verify the same operational condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Loren Beach]

General background question: does your boat have a flat 'plastic' disc around the shaft to keep the rudder blade from rubbing on the bottom where the shaft enters the boat?

 

[Dave G.]

General background question: does your boat have a flat 'plastic' disc around the shaft to keep the rudder blade from rubbing on the bottom where the shaft enters the boat?

Yes it does, about 3/8" thick.

 

[Loren Beach]

Yes it does, about 3/8" thick.

Ah so. I have seen that on several other boats with spade rudders, and was told that rudders usually have positive or close to neutral buoyancy and will tend to "float up" and rub on the bottom of the hull. This disc is probably something pretty durable like delrin, would be my uneducated guess.
Apologies for not having an answer to the original question... !

 

[Dave G.]

Ah so. I have seen that on several other boats with spade rudders, and was told that rudders usually have positive or close to neutral buoyancy and will tend to "float up" and rub on the bottom of the hull. This disc is probably something pretty durable like delrin, would be my uneducated guess.
Apologies for not having an answer to the original question... !

Yes I believe it is delrin. The buoyancy part is what I am concerned about with the 1/2" vertical "play" in a chop.

 

[bigd14]

I have the same issue with being able to lift the rudder a bit. When I dropped the rudder I added my own Delrin washer between hull and rudder but that caused the rudder to bind when turned so I took it back out. I decided to not worry about it. No problems so far but I have not been in really rough conditions yet.

 

[Dave G.]

I have the same issue with being able to lift the rudder a bit. When I dropped the rudder I added my own Delrin washer between hull and rudder but that caused the rudder to bind when turned so I took it back out. I decided to not worry about it. No problems so far but I have not been in really rough conditions yet.

Thanks Bigd, Yes the space decreases the further you turn the rudder & when you get to full turn in either direction there is no space at all, so a thicker spacer will not work. I guess the only question is whether there was ever any kind of spring or damping mechanism to prevent it just freely moving up and down. It would be nice to find the original install specs. I'm really leaning to this being normal but sure would like proof.

 

[bigd14]

Yes I found it strange that space would decrease too. Other boats (not 30+) seem to have less space between hull and rudder than mine (added photo to previous post). Maybe a weird feature of the 30+? By the way the first two photos on my last post were when I held the rudder up simulating buoyancy.

 

[Dave G.]

Yes I found it strange that space would decrease too. Other boats (not 30+) seem to have less space between hull and rudder than mine (added photo to previous post). Maybe a weird feature of the 30+? By the way the first two photos on my last post were when I held the rudder up simulating buoyancy.

I think it's the angle of the rudder tube to the hull that causes that. I know have verified 4 E30+ that have this exact rudder function so I think it is the weird but normal correct function....so I think the only question is, was there ever any kind of a damping device but that would have to be high up on the shaft by the fulcrum ? My gut says no, but I guess if it became a problem you could attach a spring or pneumatic damper to stop it.

 

[Dave G.]

I think it's the angle of the rudder tube to the hull that causes that. I know have verified 4 E30+ that have this exact rudder function so I think it is the weird but normal correct function....so I think the only question is, was there ever any kind of a damping device but that would have to be high up on the shaft by the fulcrum ? My gut says no, but I guess if it became a problem you could attach a spring or pneumatic damper to stop it.

OR as my surveyor said about the rudder...Unusual.