washers for bayraider rudder?

[John Davis]

Hoping someone can help me with ways of stopping my rudder blade from moving about in the stainless steel cheeks.  Has anyone fitted formica washers, or anything like that, beside the blade to fill in the space but without making it too stiff to raise and lower the blade easily?
Thanks,
John

[Julian Swindell]

I have just fitted large, thin PTFE washers (they are the same size as the rudder blade head), one either side of my blade head. They were quite a fiddle to get in as the gap is very tight but they seem to work well. Ideally I want two each side and I may have a go at fitting another pair, but as I said, the gap is tight. The blade raises and lowers more smoothly than ever.

[Simon Knight]

I have just had a look at the rudder on my BayRaider and I think that I need to do something.  There is quite a lot of play and the steel frame is damaging the rudder when it is raised for towing.  I think that I will attempt a combination of wood strips and PTFE; but one question where does one get large pieces of PTFE from?

best wishes

Simon

[Jeremy]

I've bought PTFE sheet from these people:

http://www.bearingboys.co.uk/Plastic_Sheets-2532-c

It is not cheap, though!

An alternative is to try ebay.  If you search ebay for 'PTFE sheet' you will probably find a few sources.

You might want to look at using something like Tufnol instead of PTFE, as this can easily be sanded down to exactly the thickness you need.  It can also be bonded easily, and has pretty good wear properties.

Jeremy

[Simon Knight]

It is not cheap, though!

Wow!  All of a sudden Claus's hardwood strips look attractive!

Thanks for the link/info

Simon

[Graham W]

I dismantled my rudder and found two thin PTFE washers in place - about 16cm in diameter and 1mm thick, with a 15mm hole in the middle.  Using a single sheet of PTFE 300 x 300 x 2mm (£10.50 + VAT from Bearing Boys), I made two new 16cm washers (with a junior hacksaw and drill) and fitted them.  I originally tried to fit the new washers and old washers in together but that was a real fiddle (as Julian says) and I could not get it to work. Lining up two sets of washers in a very tight gap was beyond me.

I have now reassembled everything and nearly all the play in the rudder seems to have disappeared, while the blade raises and lowers as before - so overall a success. 3mm sheet might work even better.  PTFE is great stuff and very easy to work - it feels a bit like plasticised candle wax.  Thanks everyone for pointing me in this direction.

Graham

[Julian Swindell]

I never did fit a second layer of PTFE. The single layer seemed ot work fine all year and is still there. I did pull th epivot bolt most of the way out once as one of teh washers was not central. I cemtreded it and then just rammed the bolt through which as easy. All nice and smooth now.

[Graham W]

I finally tried to fit 3mm PTFE washers but they were too thick. The conclusion is that 2mm does the job.

[Simon Knight]

I'm using plastic cut from 2litre milk cartons.

best wishes

Simon

[Julian Swindell]

The PTFE washers I have got fitted are very thin. About as thick as blotting paper I should think. Nothing like 2-3mm. They have lasted two-three years so far, although I haven't checked them since the start of this season.

[Graham W]

I had some very thin PTFE washers that must have originally been fitted by the yard.  The 2mm replacements show no signs of wear and have completely stopped rudder play.  What I thought was worn PTFE washers (hence the attempt at 3mm) was actually loose rudder hinge nuts and that was easily fixed.