Rudder improvements - No way back

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When I changed to the tiller it was clear that the rudder had slack. Therefore when the boat was out of the water this was one of the first items which was looked at. 
The original installation did not had rudder bearings, but a short section of bronze on the top and bottom. As the bottom one was worn out, there was no other choice than to remove it and have it replaced by bearings.
The measurement of the shaft has to be as exact as up to a 10th of a mm. 
The rudder stock is 73 mm diameter and to make an exact measurement, this would mean a huge vernier caliper. 
Therefore I decided to buy a PI-measuring tape first. This is is a measuring tape which is put around the shaft to measure the diameter without having to calculate the diameter. It was not cheap, but it is better to purchase the correct bearings for the shaft, instead of having to replace them later on.
Here the PI tape.

The next step was to measure and choose the type of bearings to use. 
Also important is the location of the bearings inside the tube, as they need to be close to the hull and deck, in order to be able hold the horizontal forces.
It all worked out fine and the bearing was fitting perfectly on the rudder shaft.

The tube with the bearings. Here you see the top bearing.


Also the tiller head is much more robust than the one I was initially using.

Like this one used before. It is clear how thin the SS plate used to make it. 
Actually it was only to be used for the emergency tiller.

It also meant that the tiller had to be made wider at the end.

Now came the critical part and the one with no return. Cutting the hull to be able to install the tube with the rudder bearing. The alignment has to be perfect and no mistakes are allowed with the strength of the fiber holding the tube in place. Note that this project is done with two professionals in their own way, but not working on yachts! One time always has to be the first, but in the end the installation went well and the bearing tube is well fixed.

Aligning of the rudder. 

 
The tube in place with a bracket which would be fiberglassed in.

The bearing close to the bottom hull.

Cover plate installed and glued on.

The holding ring and tiller connection.

Now that the option to install the steering wheel is gone, it is time to cover the hole in the cockpit.

This is what is will look like, a rubber imitation of a teak deck.


Finally the shaping of the rudder blade.



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