Two previous "repairs" lead me to believe something's up down there.
1.)While my CD 28 #1 was on the deck I noted that the bronze casting of the bearing seemed to have dropped approx. 1/2". The gap had been reglassed/filled but the casting was left exposed. I grew suspicious of this repair because the rudder when lifted seemed to be close to coming uncoupled. The yard said everything looked fine and dissuaded me from having the bearing removed for further inspection. The boat was launched.
2.) After launch I noticed pieces of "Great Stuff" (spray foam insulation in a can) floating in the bilge?? I found that the source of this was a thick application of the stuff along the aft of the keel from the bottom of the bilge to about 2" below the shaft log. This also concerned me but there were no leaks so I motored the boat from Jacksonville to Miami. Upon arrival I found there was a constant trickle of water flowing up between the back of the keel and the foam "repair".
My questions are:
Has anyone ever had a leak of this sort?
What is the material that the three bronze pins supporting the heel comprised of? My concern is that since Cape Dory used steel in so many places of these early hulls that these -rods- (the only reference I can find to them in the manual) are also steel, have swolen, burst their encasement and created a channel for seawater to enter the bilge.
Any repair suggestions are much appreciated.
Cheers,
Pat
fornaft@NShotmail.com
Rudder heel bearing leak?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Stan W.
Re: Rudder heel bearing leak?
Congratulations on the purchase of "Old No. #1." I seem to recall some posts awhile back by others who had kicked her tires suggesting that bringing her back was going to be a true labor of love. Your posts don't make her sound so bad.
It is unlikely that a problem with the rudder shoe (my term) would cause a bilge leak. There is a lot of solid fiberglass between the point where the shoe attaches and the inside of the bilge. More likely your leak is coming from the stuffing box, the shaft log, or the hose connecting the two.
There is no problem if the shoe is exposed. A little vertical play in the rudder post (say 1/4 inch) also is normal. Obviously, if the rudder post is threatening to pop out of the shoe you have a problem. The pins securing the shoe should be bronze. Lots of folks (but not me) have removed and reinstalled their shoes in connection with rudder repairs and there should be a lot of material in the archives about this.
Stan W.
NONSLY
CD28 #225
Duxbury, MA
smwheatley@capecod.net
It is unlikely that a problem with the rudder shoe (my term) would cause a bilge leak. There is a lot of solid fiberglass between the point where the shoe attaches and the inside of the bilge. More likely your leak is coming from the stuffing box, the shaft log, or the hose connecting the two.
There is no problem if the shoe is exposed. A little vertical play in the rudder post (say 1/4 inch) also is normal. Obviously, if the rudder post is threatening to pop out of the shoe you have a problem. The pins securing the shoe should be bronze. Lots of folks (but not me) have removed and reinstalled their shoes in connection with rudder repairs and there should be a lot of material in the archives about this.
Stan W.
NONSLY
CD28 #225
Duxbury, MA
smwheatley@capecod.net
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PatO
Re: Rudder heel bearing leak?
Many thanks Stan, I'm trying to do right by "Old #1" but she's a fickle mistress in need of constant attention on many levels.
I've scoured the archives and found several posts about removing the shoe but none mention a description of the part to which the shoe actually attaches. I suspect it's bronze in later models (voids oozing green liquid) but fear it may be steel in the early ones.
After my vent hose incident, I too suspected the shaft seal (PSS Dripless) but armed with a mirror and sponge was able to see the water welling up between the foam repair and the back of the keel.
Also the liberal application of the foam in the area by the previous owner seems indicative of a band-aid solution to a more serious problem.
My rudder play is 1/2" and previous posts lead me to believe that is about how far the rudder shaft extends into the shoe.
Regards,
Pat
"Esprit"
CD 28
BTW I spent the summers of my youth plying the narrow waters of the three bays this side of Bug Light and just came back from visiting family in Dux three weeks ago.
fornaft@NShotmail.com
I've scoured the archives and found several posts about removing the shoe but none mention a description of the part to which the shoe actually attaches. I suspect it's bronze in later models (voids oozing green liquid) but fear it may be steel in the early ones.
After my vent hose incident, I too suspected the shaft seal (PSS Dripless) but armed with a mirror and sponge was able to see the water welling up between the foam repair and the back of the keel.
Also the liberal application of the foam in the area by the previous owner seems indicative of a band-aid solution to a more serious problem.
My rudder play is 1/2" and previous posts lead me to believe that is about how far the rudder shaft extends into the shoe.
Regards,
Pat
"Esprit"
CD 28
BTW I spent the summers of my youth plying the narrow waters of the three bays this side of Bug Light and just came back from visiting family in Dux three weeks ago.
fornaft@NShotmail.com
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Stan W.
Re: Rudder heel bearing leak?
Did you know that the plug for the mold for the CD28 is rumored to have been built in Duxbury? I've heard conflicting versions whether it was built at what is now Long Point Marine or at what used to be Duxbury Marine Railway, now Snug Harbor Boatworks. Kinda neat.
I believe the "shoe" is a single bronze casting that wraps around and is attached directly to the fiberglass keel. Drive out the pins and it should come off.
I still think that the water in your "well" is more likely to be coming from above than below.
smwheatley@capecod.net
I believe the "shoe" is a single bronze casting that wraps around and is attached directly to the fiberglass keel. Drive out the pins and it should come off.
I still think that the water in your "well" is more likely to be coming from above than below.
smwheatley@capecod.net
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PatO
Re: Rudder heel bearing leak?
Exellent piece of Cape Dory AND Duxbury history. I didn't know.
If it ever stops raining (25 consecutive days and counting) I'll pull her and have a look-see at the attachement. In the meantime I'll scrutinize the shaft seal and remove some of the foam to get a clearer idea of why it is there in the first place.
Thank you for your input.
Regards,
Pat
"Esprit"
CD 28
fornaft@NShotmail.com
If it ever stops raining (25 consecutive days and counting) I'll pull her and have a look-see at the attachement. In the meantime I'll scrutinize the shaft seal and remove some of the foam to get a clearer idea of why it is there in the first place.
Thank you for your input.
Regards,
Pat
"Esprit"
CD 28
fornaft@NShotmail.com