Rudder Seals on ST44

Hi all, just curious if ST44 owners have had leaky rudder glands. I am looking at a ST44 now and the rudder seals were repaired, but one is still a little leaky.

Here is what the repair order says:

"Dis-assemble steering gear, remove rudders and extract bearings and o-rings. Clean rudder tubes and shafts. Clean and lube, re- install rudders. Re-assemble steering gear. Spray rudder heads with anti-corrosion."

I'm wondering if this is just expected on this boat, or if your rudder seals have been leak-free.

Thanks!
Mike

That is exactly what happened on my 2012 ST44. I ordered an O-ring and sleeve kit from Beneteau and had it installed when the boat was out for bottom paint. That was a year ago and so far no leaks.

dallas2153 said:

That is exactly what happened on my 2012 ST44. I ordered an O-ring and sleeve kit from Beneteau and had it installed when the boat was out for bottom paint. That was a year ago and so far no leaks.

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Thanks for the reply!

2014 ST 44

On my list for end of waranty issue

Port is worse than starboard

Here are photos of my rudder posts / seals, etc...

While I see no active leak the scene looks ominous to me. What do you think?

I bought this 2012 ST 44 in November of 2012.

Not an expert by any stretch but the result of whatever is going on there looks similar to what mine looks like, and I know mine leaks. Nothing major, but a slow leak that only happens while underway. Which may be why you aren't seeing it. When underway water periodically bubbles up from around the seal.

In any case, I sent my broker the photos as he is also a surveyor and is familiar with the situation with my rudders.

As an update, Beneteau has approved the warranty claim on my rudders and they are getting repaired. For reference, the part number for the seals is pn 061140 "Kit Bagues Safrans 60138" quantity 2.

I'll let you know what I hear from my broker.

Best,
Mike

I currently have mine also being reviewed under warranty.

I know mine leaked as I inspected while underway.

Best of luck

SOJOURN4 said:

I currently have mine also being reviewed under warranty.

I know mine leaked as I inspected while underway.

Best of luck

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Can't be pure coincidence that all of our ST44's have leaky rudders! Perhaps we should engage with Beneteau at some point to see if there is a better long-term solution. My assumption is that any fix will be temporary, but we'll see.

dallas2153 said:

That is exactly what happened on my 2012 ST44. I ordered an O-ring and sleeve kit from Beneteau and had it installed when the boat was out for bottom paint. That was a year ago and so far no leaks.

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Dallas, Were the seals covered under warranty?

Also, new issue; I always try to remember to power down my fresh water pump when leaving boat, but on occasion recently, after leaving the switch on, I hear the water pump making a "soft, machine gun type" noise- not the normal water pumping sound. The noise stops when I open any water valve as the normal sound takes over, and then all goes back to normal, silence.

Just wondering what this is, doesn't sound good. I have no fresh water leaks. Do you think this would be a warranty item?

I couldn't get anyone at Beneteau to talk to me about the problem, except for Ward in the Parts Dept who is always very helpful. The boat was due for bottom paint so I just bought the parts myself and had them installed. Still no problems at this point.

Not sure about your water pump issue. Suggest you make a new post on the issue as maybe someone else has info on this one.

For reference, my port rudder seal repair on my 2014 was covered under warranty. Just went back in the water yesterday. So far so good, although we haven't given it a real test yet as the leak happened at speed.

Quick update here. My rudder seal repair has held up so far. Have been out a number of times and not leaking at this time. Will keep my fingers crossed that it stays that way.

Good news for you and am glad they are fixed. The local Beneteau dealer advised me that my rudder seals would not be covered under warranty. The boat was bought new Nov. 2012 and I can't find anything to the contrary.

Keep in touch!

Well, fortunately it's not an overly expensive repair. If you get it done when the boat is hauled out for a bottom painting, it should run you about $600 for one rudder (for both parts and labor). My boat is a 2014, but the warranty will soon expire so I'll be in the same boat as you...pun intended.

Rudder seals

Two cracked and being repaired under warranty...........

Also heard that Mike Watson has left Beneteau - He was a greatr customer service contact.

Good Luck

Just had both rudder seals replaced on our 2005 42 while out for bottom paint job at Lauderdale Marine Center. Fosters did fine job and cost was about $600 for both. Fosters also spread 5200 around the bottom of the rudder "pipe"/hull flange.

We also replaced both Vetus shaft dual lip seals-one was leaking after 11years/1500hrs.

Just surveyed a ST44. One is leaky and showing signs of corrosion. Is it worth replacing both or leaving the one alone that looks fine now?

mystery said:

Just surveyed a ST44. One is leaky and showing signs of corrosion. Is it worth replacing both or leaving the one alone that looks fine now?

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Tough call. Given that hauling the boat represents about half the cost of what the repair would run, and the actual rudder seal kit cost is very low (about $120 if I remember correctly), I'd probably replace both.

I would opt for both for the reasons Michael pointed out. Both were leaking on my 2012 ST44 so I believe its not a "if" but "when" issue.

Replaced both under warranty on our 2014.

Well we are at it again-after 15 months and 300 running hours both rudder seals are now leaking underway!!
Beneteau has no answers-it is a crummy design-two o rings seal the shaft nothing else. Todd does give a 50%discount but its a $500 haul and $600 replacement cost.
Bob N

I’m going to replace mine in the fall during my haul for new bottom paint in Naples, FL. Any tips on this?

There also seems to be a small leak where the starboard trimtab bolts through the transom.

Can any good mechanic install these new seals? Should I buy them myself or leave it to the installer?

Any other specific suggestions while she’s out?

By the way, who is Todd?

rclarke246 said:

I’m going to replace mine in the fall during my haul for new bottom paint in Naples, FL. Any tips on this?

There also seems to be a small leak where the starboard trimtab bolts through the transom.

Can any good mechanic install these new seals? Should I buy them myself or leave it to the installer?

Any other specific suggestions while she’s out?

By the way, who is Todd?

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Todd is the parts guy at Beneteau. Not sure about whether any good mechanic can install them, but you might want to order them in order to get the discount.

As for other suggestions while she's out, maybe some underwater lights? People seem to love the things!

Todd is no longer with them.
I am putting in full kits that I ordered from Beneteau ( at a 50% discount ) tomorrow at a full service yard-its not a complicated job-3hoursx2mechanics. No matter what its a poor design-two o-rings do the work.
Fix the trim tab leak ,check strut bearing and props at same haul out
Good luck
Bob N

reelcompromise said:

Todd is no longer with them.
I am putting in full kits that I ordered from Beneteau ( at a 50% discount ) tomorrow at a full service yard-its not a complicated job-3hoursx2mechanics. No matter what its a poor design-two o-rings do the work.
Fix the trim tab leak ,check strut bearing and props at same haul out
Good luck
Bob N

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Clean out / around raw water intakes

May be worth checking shaft in addition to props. I've read over time they can come out of whack from regular use (at least props can more easily). Props usually have to be removed and brought to a prop place for computer scanning / measurement. If you don't have any vibrations at various RPM, are still hitting 3600 RPM under normal conditions / load, then you can probably skip.

reelcompromise said:

Todd is no longer with them.
I am putting in full kits that I ordered from Beneteau ( at a 50% discount ) tomorrow at a full service yard-its not a complicated job-3hoursx2mechanics. No matter what its a poor design-two o-rings do the work.
Fix the trim tab leak ,check strut bearing and props at same haul out
Good luck
Bob N

Click to expand...

How do you contact Beneteau directly for parts? Thanks

OK, checked about these replacement rudder seals from my Beneteau dealer in Ft. Myers, FL.

Information back indicates Beneteau has 2 replacement options:

1) Standard seals are $71.01 per rudder tube, which is currently on my boat.

2) They do offer a reinforced system. Retails for $1,344.37 each, but I'm offered 2 for the price of 1, I suppose because Beneteau realizes there is a design problem with the original seals. Dealer told me to keep in mind if I go this route there will be some additional labor.

Of course, given the trouble with the original seals I've ordered the reinforced system.

I'll let you know more about this after they are in, probably in October.

rclarke246 said:

OK, checked about these replacement rudder seals from my Beneteau dealer in Ft. Myers, FL.

Information back indicates Beneteau has 2 replacement options:

1) Standard seals are $71.01 per rudder tube, which is currently on my boat.

2) They do offer a reinforced system. Retails for $1,344.37 each, but I'm offered 2 for the price of 1, I suppose because Beneteau realizes there is a design problem with the original seals. Dealer told me to keep in mind if I go this route there will be some additional labor.

Of course, given the trouble with the original seals I've ordered the reinforced system.

I'll let you know more about this after they are in, probably in October.

Click to expand...

Thank you for this information! I am about to bring my boat in under warranty and will be inquiring about having this reinforced system put in. I hope they will cover all the cost as there is a widespread and apparent issue.

I am guessing I was sent the standard replacement kit based on the picture below? Anyone know what the new "reinforced" kit looks like and what exactly is different with it?

Mine came just today!