Ring on rudder shaft

If you look at the top of the rudder post (remove the inspection hatch to get to the AP drive unit) - there is a metal ring with 3 grubs screws - this stops the rudder dropping down vertically - and the white plastic spacer rings are designed to stop it riding up and rubbing against the hull.

 

You may be wondering how on earth the rudder (that heavy!) could move up? Jefa state the rudder on a 385 is 'buoyant' and will float. Hard to believe when the weight is some 52kg. But remarkably they are buoyant! So... Buoyant = it wants to rise in the water. 

The reality is - that if the bearings aren't cleaned - the rudder isn't going anywhere. It will not move 1mm !!! However if you clean the bearings it will have some movement. And cleaning the bearings has a remarkable affect on the weight of the helm. 

Note of caution - if you do drop the rudder to inspect for pitting on the stock (the only real way to check) - make sure you put the spacers back in the correct way round - one of them has a bevel - on one side - inside - the bevel allows the spacer to rub against the top of the rudder without rubbing away the sealant between the rudder post and top of the rudder.

I drop my rudder every year when hauling out as part of annual maintenance. Its a quick job - and worth doing (especially given the issues / care required around the antifouling at the top of the rudder). The bottom bearing gets really clogged (and I mean CLOGGED!) with sea gunk - and you will not believe the difference when you clean it out each year. Quite literally - the helm becomes lighter - spins with your little finger. And the AMPs drawn by the AP crashes through the floor.

Hope that helps.

Regards

Tim