Dropping the Rudder

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   Question. Has anyone ever removed the rudder on a 588 / 575 ? Mine is in need of repair or replacement. It looks like there are 3 grub screws holding the shaft to the top bearing that will release the shaft. My plan is to attach a halyard through the top access ports to hold the shaft while lowering. Obviously the tiller and gator will be removed. It looks like I need about 60 cm of clearance under the blade so the shaft can clear the hull. Any input would be appreciated. Piero, that includes you!  I believe you may have done this. 

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Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Offline Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Dropping the Rudder Posted: 07 November 2025 at 15:16
	Question. Has anyone ever removed the rudder on a 588 / 575 ? Mine is in need of repair or replacement. It looks like there are 3 grub screws holding the shaft to the top bearing that will release the shaft. My plan is to attach a halyard through the top access ports to hold the shaft while lowering. Obviously the tiller and gator will be removed. It looks like I need about 60 cm of clearance under the blade so the shaft can clear the hull. Any input would be appreciated. Piero, that includes you! I believe you may have done this.
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

Matt1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 10 March 2019 Location: Hamble, UK Status: Offline Points: 727	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 November 2025 at 19:09
	Here’s Jefa’s own video. I’m pretty sure it’s the same principles irrespective of rudder size https://youtu.be/xF9OXOCrE5c?si=J_6Obxp8ZdNbMmz8
	Hanse 418 #64 EmBer. Hamble, UK

Pzucchel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 13 March 2020 Location: floating Status: Offline Points: 659	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pzucchel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 November 2025 at 07:06
	...I've seen it done indeed...but I was outside so I didn't see how they dropped it from the inside !!! the video posted by Matt is compatible with whatever I could see from the outside. however , I remember one practical detail that may save you some work. The aluminum part is indeed pretty long and I have the short keel that is about as deep as the rudder. so to extract the rudder you need to be much higher that the usual height of the boat when it is on dry. We had a truck crane , so we could lift it up as much as needed , but there were also people inside at the same time, not ideal !...our boat supports were indeed too short to do it while the boat was standing on the supports like in the video, but we were in a small harbour without the infrastructure for larger boats ...anyway you've already anticipated it (as usual). I feel to remember also that the black plastic cylinders dropped out , nothing dramatic just a head up ! but it could also be because my flange was broken... Edited by Pzucchel - 08 November 2025 at 07:27
	Hanse588#55

Ian Coverdale Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 19 June 2019 Location: Travelling Status: Offline Points: 311	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian Coverdale Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 November 2025 at 09:56
	I've done our 445 twice, once fully out and once dropped by ~100mm to inspect the stock for electrolytic damage. Jefa video tells you the story. Luckily our haulout was on gravel as we had to excavate down ~150mm to get the rudder clear. Getting the rudder to drop took considerably more persuasion than shown. Before refitting, use a straightedge to check the rudderstock head has not mushroomed as it’s pretty soft aluminium and if the diameter has increased any, you will not get it back through the bearing or that fixing collar installed. Also check the emergency tiller still fits. Edited by Ian Coverdale - 08 November 2025 at 09:58
	Ian & Andrea SV Gabrielle (H445) Liveaboards - currently Montenegro. www.facebook.com/sailinggabrielle

Matt1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 10 March 2019 Location: Hamble, UK Status: Offline Points: 727	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 November 2025 at 15:40
	Yes, good point that Ian makes. Mine was also very tight in the bearing and very stiff / hard to drop down. I ended up having to a carefully use a lump Hammer! When refitting, a car jack underneath proved invaluable
	Hanse 418 #64 EmBer. Hamble, UK

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Offline Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 November 2025 at 15:08
	Thanks for all the advice. I will definitely be prepared with a soft hammer ! My yard probably will not be able to lift the boat enough the clear the rudder post. My plan is to block the boat on stands as usual. This gives about 30 cm below the blade. The yard is gravel, not hard pavement, so I’ll dig down the other 30 cm. This will be a narrow hole for the blade so not too difficult. This also has the benefit of not hanging in the slings while releasing all the hardware. I’ll keep you posted. Edited by Arcadia - 09 November 2025 at 18:43
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

ohthetrees Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 24 November 2019 Status: Offline Points: 189	Post Options Post Reply Quote ohthetrees Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 December 2025 at 12:25
	I did my 505 bearings in the water. I undid the grip screws, and pulled the rudder downward (which is boyant) by tying chain onto it until it “sunk”. Changed the bearings, and floated it back in place. Actually pretty easy job, took 30 min.

Arcadia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 27 November 2017 Location: Sag Harbor, USA Status: Offline Points: 1112	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arcadia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 December 2025 at 12:55
	Well done! I assume the post was released without any trouble. No hammering or prying ?
	Leon / ARCADIA 2018 Hanse 588 Sag Harbor, NY

marsella Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 21 June 2022 Location: Antigua Jolly H Status: Offline Points: 592	Post Options Post Reply Quote marsella Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 December 2025 at 22:39
	I can add that once I grounded chartered Beneteau in Phuket area due to some poor charts which resulted in chipped small piece from the rudder bottom. Upon checking back in with the charter the local tech guy also removed the rudder right in the water, by hitting on the post by his foot, and the rudder floated back up quickly. I was truly impressed, it took him 10 min to take the rudder off the water. I had of course pay for its repair but its a different story Edited by marsella - 04 December 2025 at 00:23



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