Wind Hippie Sailingvideo

Dropping the Rudder to Replace the Bushings WHSE151

14 October 2024 · 27 min · 46K views · Townsville

What this video covers

To address a knocking sound in the transom-hung rudder of the 30-ft sailboat Gekko, the owner hauls the vessel at Rosshaven in Townsville, Australia, to replace worn bushings.0:32 Because the rudder’s bottom mounting plate features captive nuts that spin freely, the repair requires cutting access holes into the fiberglass skeg to reach and remove the hardware.9:37 After removing the rudder, the crew cleans the assembly, replaces the corroded bottom plate, and installs shaft repair sleeves to compensate for slightly oversized replacement bushings.17:16 To seal the access holes in the skeg, the crew inserts custom-cut PVC foam board plugs, coats them with epoxy mixed with colloidal silica, and finishes the surface with additional resin.21:20 The project also involves removing the wind vane and solar panel to clear the workspace, followed by applying three coats of antifouling paint to the rudder and skeg.4:34 Using high-quality 316 stainless steel hardware and nylock nuts ensures a secure, long-term connection for the rudder assembly.18:05

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