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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

new blanced rudder

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Seabird
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/01/2008 : 16:34:58

Has anyone purchased Catalina's new balanced rudder for their 25? If you have, I would like feedback on if it has made a difference in load on the helm. I am considering purchasing the new rudder, but would like to hear from others who may have already made the change.
Thank you.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2008 : 17:02:43

I bought Passage ('85) with her original, unbalanced rudder. Because it was splitting at the head (from swelling of the wood core that was probably deteriorating), I bought a balanced rudder from Catalina Direct--I believe the same rudder that Catalina introduced around 1988--a foam-cored fiberglass shell. The difference was phenomenal--much lighter helm--you could tack with two fingers and hold course practically by looking at it (except that there was still some weather helm, as there should be). Also, the "flutter" I had with the old rudder was gone--apparently because of the improved foil shape. Overall, it was like going from manual to power steering. (And I didn't have to worry about the blade breaking off at the lower pintle!)

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2008 : 17:12:30

Ditto -- one of the first things I did when I purchased Limerick was replace the original rudder with the CD "balanced" rudder in part because of all the positive feedback from this forum. I could not be happier. She handles much better -- so much better that I often do not need to hold the tiller and tacking is much easier. Well worth the price for such improved performance.

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hinmo
Navigator

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USA
248 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 00:24:16

Folks - dug this thread up from a few yrs ago. I am going to purchase a bal'd within a couple months. A few questions - does the old tiller and tiller assembly mount directly to it? Must I replace pintles and gudgeons?

Thanks

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 10:49:11

I just purchased a nice, new rudder a year ago from Catalina, sold by the Foredeck, and after I primed and painted it, I needed to drill holes through the gelcoat and the hard foam interior to attach the old pintles and tiller. It came solid and pure white, all ready to get beat up by me.

Before all that, I had a chance to SEE the interior hard foam after the delivery folks had dropped it and chipped off 2 one-inch corners on the bottom edge. The company paid for return shipment and the second replacement rudder. Delayed my Spring start by a month.

The hard foam is gray in color and very stiff.

Edited by - JohnP on 01/28/2010 10:49:48

hinmo
Navigator

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USA
248 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 16:21:23

John - is that the balanced one on Catalina direct?:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=761

or is that another one?

how mucho?

thx

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 21:55:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hinmo
 John - is that the balanced one on Catalina direct?...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">CD is The Foredeck.

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hinmo
Navigator

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USA
248 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2010 : 01:14:32

Thanks Dave. Just to reiterate before I drop 660 plus shipping:

1) The CD balanced model is the most popular, recommended replacement?
2) All hardware will fit after some drilling (seal with?)?

...any other concerns I should be considering? The boat budget is tight this year and I still need some running rigging upgrades

Thanks

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2010 : 08:23:17

I bought the foam-cored fiberglass "balanced rudder" from CD--the same as the original equipment starting around 1988-89. I'm guessing that's what CD's $660 balanced rudder is. The HDPE rudders weren't around then, and I probably wouldn't have chosen one anyway.

My original pintle straps had to be spread to fit--a tough job--that was in about 2001. You might ask them about it.

I over-drilled, hollowed out some additional foam using a bent nail in the drill, filled with epoxy, and then re-drilled the holes. Sealer was therefore not needed (or even feasible, the way the pintles fit). Positioning and aligning the holes so the pintles to line up perfectly is tricky, and really critical if you're using CD's heavy-duty gudgeons (which I tried and then gave up on). I think the tiller hole was already there with a brass thimble in it--might be wrong. The tiller fit fine.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/29/2010 08:33:04

Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2010 : 10:24:48

Would a balanced rudder also take some of the strain off the pintles and gudgeons. putting the forces into the face of the rudder? Just a thought.

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hinmo
Navigator

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USA
248 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2010 : 16:16:23

OK Folks - need distinct direction here pls. I researched this last year on this forum and the consensus was that the balanced rudder from CD was the best.

Armed with that assessment, I am going to purchase the balanced rudder (unless I hear differently) and will contact CD for tiller connectivity and pintle/gudgeon applicability.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2010 : 12:29:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ed Cassidy
 Would a balanced rudder also take some of the strain off the pintles and gudgeons. putting the forces into the face of the rudder?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">No. The "strain" on the pintles and gudgeons are the forces that turn the boat by pushing the transom one way or the other, and the balanced rudder does not reduce them. It reduces the force on the tiller by off-setting a part of the force that's trying to straighten the rudder (from the pressure aft of the pivot line) with some force trying to turn it (forward of the pivot point). However, the same amount of blade surface is applying the same turning force to the transom.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/31/2010 12:30:45

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