SmoCo Sailingvideo
[Ep 46] Dropping the Rudder is Easier That Putting It Back Up But We've Got a Boatyard Win!
January 17, 2026 · 13 min · 934 views · Guaymas
What this video covers
Armand and Liya, owners of the 40-ft sailboat *Cosmo*, spent 66 days in a Mexican boatyard awaiting a replacement rudder bearing housing.0:16 The original unit failed after its threads sheared off, causing excessive play in the rudder stock.1:32 After failing to source the part domestically, the couple ordered a European-spec replacement from the French company GP3 and used the iPostal service to receive the shipment at a virtual mailbox in Tucson, Arizona.1:10
To install the new housing, Armand fabricated a custom tool to provide sufficient torque for seating the unit into the fiberglass.9:07 He applied 3M 5200 sealant to the threads and the housing flange to ensure a permanent, watertight seal.10:19 During the reinstallation of the rudder, the crew used a FaceTime video call between the deck and the interior to align the rudder stock through the new bearing.11:46 While the rudder movement improved significantly, the couple discovered that a previously attempted DIY sail drive seal repair remained faulty and continued to leak.13:21
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