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Author Topic: Rudder to skeg play  (Read 6718 times)

JohnnyD

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Rudder to skeg play
« on: January 29, 2022, 08:42:28 AM »
Just hauled the boat, a Pearson 303, and checking the rudder for play at the pintles, gudgeons . About 3/8 inch of play. Is this a lot? Everything else looks good.
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Dolce_Vita

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Re: Rudder to skeg play
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2022, 02:21:07 PM »
Sounds like a lot to me.  My p323 has no detectable play between the rudder and the skeg.

That much play will introduce a significant amount of "deadband" in the steering. This deadband makes it difficult to steer a straight course by hand, and will overwork any autopilot, causing premature wear and  failure. 
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@(^.^)@  Ed
1977 P-323 #42 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4

JohnnyD

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Re: Rudder to skeg play
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2022, 07:42:26 AM »
I have not noticed any problems with the handling of the boat, in fact, the steering is so smooth and effortless, it's like power steering. The play I'm talking about is when I pull the rudder at the bottom backwards toward the stern.
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chuck stas

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Re: Rudder to skeg play
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2022, 10:07:50 AM »
Did you get the play out if so how ?
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chuck stas

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Re: Rudder to skeg play
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2023, 09:43:14 AM »
No movement on my P303 rudder .
Might need a bushing on the bottom at next haul out.
good luck
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