Rudder rope replacement

empet · Post by **empet** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:25 pm

Hi - I need to replace the worn rudder holding ropes on my 26M: never done it..... is there a trick to it? They should feed through the transom hole form the top - right?

Does anyone know the spec/size of the rope?

Thank you.

Matt19020 · Post by **Matt19020** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:56 pm

If you can wait a couple of days I am replacing mine, I will measure the old ine and post it. I plan on attahing the new line to the old one and pull it thru

empet · Post by **empet** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:27 pm

great - Matt - thanks

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:08 pm

Considering they're only rudders it can't be terribly wrong.

3/16ths is amply strong in that application, but I used 1/4-inch for my X-boat rudder lines.

Kelly Hanson East · Post by **Kelly Hanson East** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:41 am

Empet - Hello from upstream in Albany!!

Check out some of the threads on replacing the rudder lines with bungies. On the Hudson, if you hit a shallow, its better to let the rudders kick up on a bungy than break the rudders.

empet · Post by **empet** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:49 am

Hi, from downstream Hudson, Kelly.....(send some cleaner water!) .....Will check out the bungie solution. Thks

c130king · Post by **c130king** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:12 am

Stephen,

When you say use bungies are you talking about replacing the line that holds the rudders down with a bungee cord? Are you able to "disconnect" this bungee somehow when you pull the rudders up?

I noticed on Bastonjock's

that he had one line for the rudders with one end tied to pull it up and one end tied to pull it down. On my

(not sure if that is standard) I have two seperate lines.

Thanks,
Jim

RickJ · Post by **RickJ** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:28 pm

c130king wrote:I noticed on Bastonjock's that he had one line for the rudders with one end tied to pull it up and one end tied to pull it down.

Jim
The single double-ended rudder line is standard on the

. Mine has a "bungee mod", this is not bungie replacing rope, but a loop of bungie cord is tied to the pull-down line about halfway down (in fact sewn in to stop it slipping). When setting the rudder down, this loop is just hooked over the cleat pulling the rope taught, but the rope itself is not cleated.

If a rudder runs aground the bungie stretches allowing the rudder to kick up. It works, I tested it (not deliberately

).

Cheers, Rick

Bawgy · Post by **Bawgy** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:51 pm

USe blue rope to pick up .024 knots when beating to the wind

Matt19020 · Post by **Matt19020** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:56 pm

EMPET- I just replaced my lines.
The lines I took off were were 12' exactly. From what I remember they were about 12 inches longer when the boat was new I thought there was too much slack in the line and I cut some off but I would NOT go any less then 12'. I replaced the line with one size smaller which I beleive was 5/32 (I had some new line from a previous boat). It may be a little tight to tape a replacement line of 3/8 and pull it thru. You may need to pull a string thru and then the new line but you should be able to figure it out as you go.
I also used the pulley system (see pics) to make it easier to raise the rudders but if you do this you will need to add at least 4 feet of line to your tally. I hope this helps.........

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pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:55 pm

I like the pulleys Matt - - - but I hope I never get that weak (or lazy) that I can't pull up the rudders from a dead stop as they are

Rick

empet · Post by **empet** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:20 pm

Looks good, Matt - thanks a lot for the spec's and hints - i'll get the rope and do mine over the weekend - hopefully with similar success

empet · Post by **empet** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:34 pm

Matt - just google-earthed Bensalem. Did you ever mac down the Delaware all the way? Is it worth the venture?

puggsy · Post by **puggsy** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:12 pm

Just a thought...I've just fitted two pulleys to each rudder. Sorry i have not been able to sort out any pics of it. A short 12 inch line is tied off to the rudder. Ar the high end is the pulley, on a sewn loop. Another line comes down from the fixed cleat, through this first pulley, then up to another pulley mounted just below the top pipe rail of the rear guard rail, through that then down to the cleat again. effort is now a downward pull and the arrangement keeps the ropes out from the transom a couple of inches. One advantage is that the pulleys are clear of the water.
Its now very easy. Puggsy 06

Matt19020 · Post by **Matt19020** » Thu May 01, 2008 6:12 pm

Empet, The Delaware River as far as I know would not be considered the "sailing destination" of a lifetime however it suits me fine. I have gone about 7 miles North and about 20 miles South (by motor) My home port is Neshaminy (State Park) Marina.
It is not like the Chesapeke but I love going out for a sail after work and the best part is I live only 10 minutes from the marina. The pic below was a pretty busy "sail day" in October last year.
I usually only cover about 3-5 miles one way when I go out ...the current can be strong at times but I would call it more annoying then troublesome if you are trying to beat against it.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Rudder rope replacement

Rudder rope replacement

Lazy

RUDDER ROPE