Rudder Pin Advice

[orion27]

I am going to have to find a better rudder pin arrangement. Nut and bolt works but inconvenient. Pin suggestions here? The pivot bolt seems to work loose as well. Good lock nut sugesstions?

[johnddegen]

Mc Master- Carr phone 404 346-7000 0r online
Part Number 94975A501 pin and lanyard 5/16 dia 4" length
$5.39

Very good people to deal with
Good luck

[Tim Bosma]

We have a lock nut on the pivot bolt, but I recommend a breakable item for the pin. If your rudder hits something and needs to bounce up, a stainless pin will either bend, making it unusable, or damage the rudder shoulder.

[Jim Kloss]

The PO had a SS "handle" welded to the nut on the pivot bolt and retained the head of the bolt witn a set screw. It will still work loose sometimes but very convenient to re-tighten.

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

[grandillusion]

I use a piece of fiberglass rod as in thoes driveway marking rods, cut to length and the ends taped to keep it in place, bring the rudder back till it touches then tighten the pivot bolt very snug, and I keep a couple extras onboard, you can make almost a dozen from one $4 rod

[BarryE]

used bic pens, pull the empty ink/tip tube out, use the body, tie a string through it with a stop knot. they break easy enough, and are easy and cheap to replace.

[Stef]

I used a piece of 5/16" dia brass and undercut a small groove on the rod just inside the plates. Drill 2 small holes on the ends and us cotter rings to keep it in place.

[Tigerlily]

I use 5/16 hardwood dowel. You can either drill them to accept a cotter pin or just leave them as is and they will swell somewhat from the humid environment, "locking" them in place. Knock them out with the stainless steel pin. I usually get 2 to 3 uses from each piece.
They will easily break if the rudder grounds.

I use the stainless pins when on the high seas, ( out in the Gulf ) and don't expect shallow waters.

Also drill a second hole through the rudder to assist in locking the rudder forward. The modification is allowed and specified in the class rules.

The dowel is preferable to the bic pen as it helps keep (broken) plastic out of the environment.

[Dale Eager]

I like the idea of the fiberglass driveway rods, but fear they will be messy when they break. I found the following from McMaster Carr and am guessing they will work better than dowels or pens (break too easy), but will break away clean before damage is done. Less than three bucks for four feet:

Part Number 8497K151 (white) or 8497K153 (black)
Acetal Copolymer Rod 5/16" Diameter, White, Lengths of 4 Ft. (Same as 8497K15)