CP23 Gudgeon / Pintle Rattle

[thomeng55]

Hi..  My CP23 rudder bangs around when sailing.  The Bolt through the Gudgeon appears to not fit tightly.

I saw the posts a couple years ago about a similar issue (and was warned that I might want to start a new post since it was so dated).  Based on that, I bought 4 brass sleeves from Hutchins.  NOW... i have to install them.  I have a couple of questions.

1) I was told to drill out the existing gudgeons to 1/2 inch.  How difficult is it to drill a straight hole in the metal gudgeons?  Will a normal hand drill work?  Do I need to keep the bit wetted (cooled) etc.
2) What size bolt should be used inside these sleeves?  Stainless?

Any insight would be appreciate.

Its April.. the Ice is gone on the south end of Lake Michigan and I am getting close to a launch.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

[MacGyver]

Tom,

I did the one on my 19 and used a hand drill and a sharp new 1/2 inch bit. I had a new one, so wasnt a issue, I think it was a black bit so nothing special. Just like sharp ones and never use cheap bits since I found they soemtimes arent the right size.....

When drilling I kinda let the drill go where it wanted. It self centered due to the original holes.
Then I hammered in the bushings, tight nice fit. I think it is 5/16 bolts, but id check whatever fits in those bushings.

I am glad to see you bought 4...... I got 2 and really need to get 2 more to fill the holes completely...

Mac

[thomeng55]

Thanks Mac... I appreciate the input. 

Its my project for the end of the week... once the snow stops falling here in Chicago again.

[skip1930]

It's a 20 minute job using a 3/8 inch drill motor, a 1/2 inch drill bit with a cut down shank to fit a 3/8 inch drill motor, four 1/2 inch bronze  SHOULDER bushings with a 3/8 inner hole that are 3/4 long. Drill the rudder and gudgeon to half inch and tap in the bushings. The two shoulders ride upon each other. Double up on the ss washers under the bolt's head and ny-loc nuts and screw it all back together with copious amounts od Permatex Neverseaze.

The bushings and washers cost about $14.00 from ACE Hardware. Doesn't really matter what the inside hole is in the bushings ... just match up the ss bolts to that hole.  

skip.

[thomeng55]

Thanks Skip... your help on this is very appreciated.  I did not think at all about the washers, and the neverseize. 

Hope to be in the water soon.

[thomeng55]

Job done!

A lot easier than I thought it would be.  Once the rudder was off, I took a nail set which fit perfectly to tap out the existing bushings.  It was small enough to slip all the way through the holes on the grudgeon and pintles, and had a perfectly sizes lip to just catch the edge of the old bushings.  A few good taps and they popped right out.  I pressed the new ones in (from Compac Yachts - 4 for about $14) with lots of Never Seixe (thanks Skip) and all back together and works great.  No more wobble to the rudder.

[skip1930]

So as I read this the extra slop was taken up with new plastic bushings from the factory.
O.K. good.

I had to deal with oval holes on the three CP-19's. Permatex Neverseaze.

skip.