Hi All -
As I have Quickbeam out of the water, re-doing the bottom, there is a grease drip coming from the rudder post. It looks like it’s “leaking” down the rudder. I don’t see any seals in the manual but does anyone else know if there’s a serviceable part that needs to be attended to?
Thanks -
Bob Gehrman
NS30U #396 “Quickbeam”
Baltimore, Maryland
I don’t remember what the problem is, Bob, but it has been discussed at length and should be on the INA website. Have you been regularly greasing the shaft??
Thanks Joe - I did find some info about the seal between the rudder tube and the hull, but nothing about a seal between the post and the tube. I’m assuming it is old grease that over time ‘liquifies’ and oozes out. If the grease cup is pushing grease into the tube then it must come out somewhere, right?
Bob Gehrman
NS30U #396 “Quickbeam”
Baltimore, Maryland
Bob -
You are correct. Grease does ooze out of the top of the tube and, sometimes, gets all over the plywood gussets that support the tube. I’ve never noticed it oozing out of the bottom of the tube (but, it must be said … I am not swimming along, under water, madly trying to keep up with the boat … looking at the rudder tube … as it roars along at 47 knots - long story). It MUST ooze out into the drink, right ??
Bottom line - nothing is amiss. You haven’t mentioned it but down the road, (like, maybe a few years), you may notice a small amount of water collecting or coming from the rudder tube and wetting those gussets or dripping into the bilge. You’ll think “Great - the rudder tube is leaking.” Nope. The rudder tube is a fibreglass tube. It sits inside an outer tube (supported by those gussets). The tiny space BETWEEN the “inner tube” and the “outer tube” is sealed with 5200 or 4200 or some other product but, over time, this wears away and water oozes into the space and a little oozes out from the TOP of the tube. Solution - when the boat is out of the water, drop the rudder, say 10", giving you that much room to stick a tube of whatever product you use up to the … um … anus of the boat (where the rudder sticks out). Dropping the rudder is a bit of a pain on a boat with a wheel, etc. Mine was easy as I only had to unbolt the tiller. Place a car jack directly under the rudder (with a towel or rag for padding) and when the rudder is ready to drop, just lower the jack.
Mike Quill sent me a good photo that clarifies this and I’ll attach it along with a few other things.
Section sketch of rudder tube leak.pdf (355 KB)
