Rudder travel

curriernh · **Joined:** 14 Jul 2011 07:14 **Posts:** 60

I've found our '83 T37's rudder travel to be very small. From stop to stop I only get about 6" of swing each way from center making for a huge turning radius.

I haven't really jumped below to check it out yet but is this typical?

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

I've never measured the travel per se, but I know it's not a very large swing. One limiting factor is the rudder blade will bind on the vertical fiberglass fairing attached on the skeg if it swings too much. Our boat will do a very respectable turn if she has a little way on, say just over a boat length.

jvoelxen · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2006 15:36 **Posts:** 268

The swing isn't a lot, but I would think it's more than 6". I go by my boat (which is on the hard now) just about every day. I'll measure the swing and get back to you.

Jim
T37C #191

jvoelxen · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2006 15:36 **Posts:** 268

I checked the rudder travel on my boat today and I have about 12"-13" travel to starboard and about 10" to port. I was surprised the swing wasn't symmetric, so I measured the swing on another T37 in the yard. It had a travel of about 12"-13" in both directions. So your 6" travel seems to indicate some type of problem. I have a slight mismatch to port, which I need to investigate. I didn't crawl into the boat to try to figure out what going on, but my suspicion is the hydraulic ram for my autopilot may be restricting the travel to port ---- just a guess. Turning radius never seemed to be a problem. Will find out for sure this Spring when the boat is uncovered.

Jim
Odyssey #191

curriernh · **Joined:** 14 Jul 2011 07:14 **Posts:** 60

Thanks, Jim. I guess I need to crawl under the cockpit and figure out why my travel is so short

Tom
S/V Dulcinea, T37 #427

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

I am curious, are you measuring from the aft edge of the rudder to the center of the bottom of the transom or are you measuring the travel of the quadrant?

jvoelxen · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2006 15:36 **Posts:** 268

I measured straight line from the trailing edge of the rudder to the fairing on the bottom of the transom that will align with the trailing edge of the rudder when it's centered.

Jim #191

Timshel · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2010 10:24 **Posts:** 191

Heres a pic under the quadrant of what limits the travel, On full lock the rubber hose covered pin hits the support webs on the aft side of the rudder tube.
Bruce #6

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

Yup, got one too.....'though I don't remember exactly where on the quadrant it is mounted......

curriernh · **Joined:** 14 Jul 2011 07:14 **Posts:** 60

Okay, I was wrong. I carefully measured and I have 10" from the trailing edge of the rudder from center to either side. Could use more.....

Tartan37.com

Rudder travel

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