Rudder bearings

Try https://jefa.dk/products/roller-bearings/

And ø60mm shaft?

I had my (entire) rudder and bearings rebuilt by my local engineers 10 years ago on purchase. I’ve certainly got nothing to add to Steve’s advice on the bearings (I didn’t do the work myself) but will add the usual advice to have a good look at the rudder stock when you get it out. In my case (and others) destruction of the original bearings was expedited by epoxy patch repairs to the original aluminium stock which was fabricated for Hanse by a now long-lost company in Poland who used inferior grade aluminium which suffered badly from pit corrosion.

If you are having the rudder out I’d give thought to replacing the whole thing with an off-the-shelf unit from Jefa, because if you still have the original stock you will have problems sooner or later.

My stock and bearings are still perfectly smooth now 10 years later after replacing the lot, so if you keep the boat long term you should consider biting the bullet on a single job to replace everything.

Andrew, I have had the bottom bearing out of H301 twice, the first to correct a tight bearing and 5 years later a second time to replace with over  lenth bearing to remedy the wear on shaft problem, for a pre-sale survey. My buyers surveryor monitored and fully approved my work/design of bearing.

Holby also has useful comments on his 301 bearing replacement and his material choice. I used Delrin because I have used it successfully on previous yacht rudder bearings, Holby has another good material option. I have failed to link my previous posts to you, but if you search my posts [Perry] you should find them and my sketch of over lenth bearing. Also check Holby for more info.

Feel free to contact me direct for any help. [perrysimonner@btinternet.com]

Perry

You shouldn't have any problem with continuing to sail with a sloppy top bearing. It may make controlling the boat with a tiller pilot less responsive. 

You are contemplating replacement with Jeffa equipment.

To my knowledge they can only offer a rudder that will fit the existing rudder tube and sleeve or bush type bearings.

If you wish to use jeffa roller bearings you will need to go down the root of complete replacement and reglassing of the rudder tube assembly and hull fairing.

I took the view that if the standard bushes had lasted nearly 20 years why go to the expense and the extra work and cost of bearings.

I am very happy after doing over 700 NM this season that the simple modified extended bottom bush and a new top bush on my boat have totally eliminated any play in the rudder. 

This also gave superb results with the much criticised raymarine tillerpilot.

Our boat was set up with sails well balanced in a force 5 gusting 6 in a quartering sea on our longest leg from Padstow to the Isles of Scilly.

 We averaged just shy of 8 knots on this long  passage surprising many larger club boats on our summer cruise with the speed of a sub 9m cruiser.