Re: Rudder rip-off

["Robert Harper" <rharper@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Not knowing how you attached the bottom gudgeon, I can't say for sure but  
I'd agree with Cristian that it looks like you used screws to hold it in.  
There is a lot of force here and you'll want to do backing plates and  
washers. The 1/4" strips and some glass will not hold everyting under load.

The big problem now is getting the pin back out of the cassette without  
ruining the cassette. When you put the gudgeouns back on the boat, make  
sure that you bolt it all on with large washers, 5200, and locking nuts.  
You might have long enough arms to reach from the inspection ports. I lost  
my rudder in a similar way in Florida and had to borrow Mark White's arm.  
I can't get my forearms through the inspection ports. If you did use  
screws, there shouldn't be too much damage to the transom.

On Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:14:42 -0600, Dave Lindsey <lindsey@xxxxxxxxxxx>  
wrote:

> **Just a little info I thought I would pass onto other builders.**
>
> My rudder pulled off my boat today. Mike offered to sail the Red Violin  
> as a
> sort of sea trial. It was a beautiful day with winds at about 12-15 kts.
>
> Mike pushed off with no problem. I watched him as he sailed her close  
> hauled
> west of the pier. Later I watched as he very skilfully doused the main  
> and
> struggled to come in on the jib alone. Eventually it became obvious he
> required some assistance.
>
> The rudder had completely ripped off the boat. See the attached pictures.
>
> I think it is fairly obvious what happened. A strong bending moment bent  
> the
> pin which lead to the upper gudgeon block pulling away from the bar. I  
> think
> this lead to the lower end of the pin bending and the whole works falling
> off.
>
> If my assumption is correct, the lesson is that we need to eliminate all
> bending moments on the pin. Do not use a spacer as I did. Keep the rudder
> box attachment point as close to the gudgeons as possible. Shear is
> acceptable, but try to eliminate any and all bending moments.
>
> Now I have to figure out how to fix this mess. Any suggestions. No smart  
> ass
> remarks please?
>
> Oh, one final point; I used screw (4) to attach the gudgeon to the bar.  
> I'm
> glad I did. I very purposely wanted this to be a failure point vs.  
> breaking
> the bar. Now I  question if the rudder box should be designed to pivot  
> with
> a shear pin. Comments?
>
> David Lindsey
> CAN 046



--
Live large, love lots, and sail fast!
The mark of who you are is determined by what you do when you don't have  
to do it.
USA 050 Fugu
77959 Wasabi
Robert Harper

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