[Rhodes22-list] Rudder clutch problem

[Melvyn Rothbard]

Thought that I would pass along a problem and solution that I encountered with the rudder clutch.  My boat visited Stan about 3 years ago and one of the upgrades that he installed was his new rudder post and clutch assembly.  It really worked well until about a month ago when I went to loosen the star wheel screw to drop the rudder.  The rudder dropped but so did the star wheel used to tighten the clutch.  It was gone in a flash to the bottom of the lagoon never to be found.  Upon inspection, I noticed that the screw that is installed thru the post had worked its way backwards so that only 3/4 of an inch was sticking out.  Far to little to get a grip on the star wheel.  I disassembled the tiller from the post and was able to get a screwdriver inside to drive the screw back out to about an inch and a half.  That solved the problem, but now I will inspect the unit at least twice a season to make sure there is no more backing out of the screw.  I was
 wondering if anyone else has experianced this issue.

Mel Rothbard
Loveladies  New Jersey



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