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 Post subject: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 27 Aug 2018 08:20 
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Skipper

Joined: 09 Aug 2017 15:35
Posts: 725
Location: Maine/USVI
O.K. I'm in.


Last edited by Maineiac on 01 Oct 2018 09:18, edited 1 time in total

 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 27 Aug 2018 10:14 
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Skipper

Joined: 14 Jul 2012 20:36
Posts: 495
Location: Norfolk, Va
I've always had (+23yrs) the fairing and believe S&S knew what they were doing. So I would replace. On the other hand a little rudder area in front of the post would help balance helm.

My rudder is coming off again this fall. I dropped the rudder last fall and after reinstalling has developed a harmonic. Feels like it's going to break off at hull speed. If you need any pics let me know.

Good luck with the project.

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Hull #208, Puff Card
Southern Chesapeake Bay


 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 27 Aug 2018 11:40 
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Skipper

Joined: 09 Aug 2017 15:35
Posts: 725
Location: Maine/USVI
Pics, by all means.


Last edited by Maineiac on 01 Oct 2018 09:17, edited 1 time in total

 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 27 Aug 2018 17:10 
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Skipper

Joined: 21 Jan 2010 12:57
Posts: 168
I don't believe that a "balanced" rudder on this boat is necessary or even desirable. Sparkman Stephens knew what they were doing when they designed the underbody on the T37, and whereas there are some relatively minor tweaks (ie the centerboard pivot) that might he attempted, changing geometry of the skeg hung rudder is not one of them. I've always wondered if creating channels through the rudder to facilitate smooth water flow from the high to low pressure side (analogous to fowler flaps on an airfoil) would be effective. The rudder as it is works pretty darn well: I've never sensed that it is "stalling".


 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 28 Aug 2018 10:14 
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Skipper

Joined: 09 Aug 2017 15:35
Posts: 725
Location: Maine/USVI
Replace the fairing it is.


Last edited by Maineiac on 01 Oct 2018 09:14, edited 1 time in total

 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 28 Aug 2018 19:36 
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Skipper

Joined: 14 Jul 2012 20:36
Posts: 495
Location: Norfolk, Va
The harmonic is more a noise, not a feel in the helm. I believe the cause is the fairing out of alignment. Starts vibrating hitting the rudder. The rudder is solid. I can dive on the boat and make the same sound shaking the fairing. When I pull the fairing, I'm going to stiffen it up, my is flexing more than it use to. Thinking of adding a little glass and filling with high density or syntact foam.

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Hull #208, Puff Card
Southern Chesapeake Bay


 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 29 Aug 2018 07:09 
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Skipper

Joined: 09 Aug 2017 15:35
Posts: 725
Location: Maine/USVI
How heavily are the fairings glassed to the hull?


Last edited by Maineiac on 01 Oct 2018 09:13, edited 1 time in total

 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 29 Aug 2018 07:47 
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Skipper

Joined: 14 Jul 2012 20:36
Posts: 495
Location: Norfolk, Va
They are light, maybe 15 lbs and do flex. I can see how they get damage and broken off. Mine is flexing more than it use to, been hit a couple times. The other way it's weaken, is when removing the rudder, grinding is required and sometimes you can cut into the fairing.

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Hull #208, Puff Card
Southern Chesapeake Bay


 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 29 Aug 2018 09:47 
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Skipper

Joined: 09 Aug 2017 15:35
Posts: 725
Location: Maine/USVI
I expect some surgery on the fairing as well, I guess.


Last edited by Maineiac on 01 Oct 2018 09:12, edited 1 time in total

 
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 Post subject: Re: Rudder Modifications
PostPosted: 29 Aug 2018 14:49 
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Skipper

Joined: 14 Jul 2012 20:36
Posts: 495
Location: Norfolk, Va
The rudder, pintle and fairing go up at and install at the same time. The fairing is sitting on top of the pintle. I use a bedding compound, on the pintle and flat area of the fairing during the install. After that sets up, I fill the small gap area with fairing compound. Then I use a couple layers of 2" tape over the joint and then fairing compound over that. The tape helps in keeping a crack from developing in the fairing compound at the joint.

When removing/dropping rudder. I remove the autohelm ram from the quadrant and loosen the steering cables to remove the quadrant. After removing the quadrant, back off pintle's nuts a couple turns. Shake the bottom of the rudder to create a crack at the fairing to hull joint. Grind away the fairing compound between the hull and rudder fairing. Take a Dacron line from aft cleats around the bottom of rudder, to help in lowering the rudder about 70lbs. Remove pintle nuts, which holds everything up. Then use a 5-n-1 paint tool with a hammer to open the joint between the hull and fairing. I usually have to dig a 2ft hole under the rudder, in-order to have room to lower. The process is pretty quick and dirty, about 2-3 hours.

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Hull #208, Puff Card
Southern Chesapeake Bay


 
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