Rudder seized

[Twell]

1981 Tung Hwa clipper Trawler rudder seized. Can bearings be obtained. What would a new fabrication cost. I am officially totally boat poor

 

[sean9c]

I'm guessing that if you're hauled out you could manage to get the rudder free, dropped, cleaned up and re-installed for the cost of some new stuffing.

 

[Nick F]

A very common problem is swelling of nylon bushings. Standard nylon will swell after years of being wet.

Brute force to wiggle the shaft out. Then replace with Delrin or Teflon bushings.

 

[psneeld]

Is this the trawler you have had for 10 years? If so, forgive the basic questions but good troubleshooting is the first step in correctly resolving problems.

Is the boat in the water or dry? If in the water, how long since last out?

Sure the rudder is seized? Could it be other steering components? Did you disconnect the tiller arm on the rudder and see if you can move it?

If in the water, and just the rudder isn't moving, can you visually inspect under water? Sometimes growth or debris can jam the rudder.

Can't be sure how your rudder(s) is set up, but many of the older trawlers just used stuffing boxes and if a cutless bearing is used too, it shouldn't seize, if anything should wear and cause wobbling.