How to Replace the Rudder on a Sailboat

A sailboat gives you access to waterways with very few mechanical parts. The pulleys that raise the sails and the rudder are the only simple machines needed to make a sailboat. While changing the pulleys may be rather simple and straightforward, changing a rudder is not. The rudder on most models of sailboat breaches the hull so it can rest under the boat where it will be most effective. The rudder on your sailboat may be mounted in several different ways, depending on the manufacturer, but most sailboat rudder assemblies are built from a standard collection of parts.

Things You'll Need

  • Thick wool blankets
  • Nylon rope
  • Pliers
  • 2 adjustable wrenches
  • O ring seal
  • Marine grade grease
  • New rudder
  • Grease gun
  • Clean, dry rags
  • Work gloves
  • Safety glasses
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Instructions

    • 1

      Trailer your sailboat. Wrap a blanket around the rudder. Wrap a rope around the blanket-covered rudder and tie it to the frame of the trailer to hold the rudder still until it is ready to be removed.

    • 2

      Climb into the boat and look inside the stern locker. Locate the rudder assembly. Straighten the cotter pin on the top of the assembly with your pliers. Pull the pin free and set it aside for replacement.

    • 3

      Loosen the retaining bolt and nut on the steering arm clamp with your adjustable wrenches. Lift the steering arm off the rudder post. Remove the rudder grease fitting with an adjustable wrench. Set the fitting aside with the cotter pin.

    • 4

      Ask your assistants to untie the rudder and lift it as high as possible. Pull the shear pin out of the rudder shaft and have your assistants lower the rudder out of the bottom of the hull.

    • 5

      Slide an O ring seal into the groove on the new rudder shaft. Apply a thick layer of marine-grade grease onto the shaft of the new rudder.

    • 6

      Have your assistants lift the shaft of the new rudder into the hull. Slide the shear pin through the rudder shaft. Twist the grease fitting into the rudder shaft.

    • 7

      Ask your assistants to twist the rudder into the same position the old rudder had been in when it was removed. Lower the steering arm clamp onto the rudder shaft.

    • 8

      Tighten the retaining bolt and locking nut. Slide the cotter pin through the rudder shaft. Spread the ends of the cotter pin to lock it in place.

    • 9

      Slide the tip of your grease gun over the grease fitting on the rudder shaft. Pump the handle of the grease gun to fill the assembly with grease. Wipe off excess grease with a clean rag.