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Topic: Rudder Cam |
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Devon1 |
Posted: 23-Sep-07 20:58 |
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HI All
My rudder's cam sheared off this weekend resulting in the loss of the top part of the cam, spring and nylon cup as well. I know we didn't ground out on any thing so I assume it happened either on latching it down or during sailing. Has anyone else encountered this. The parts were not seized and were moving freely. I assume those are the only parts I've lost but its hard to tell when your trying to remember what it looked like before they dissapeared! If anyone knows otherwise please let me know. I'll call wet and windy tomorrow.
If your wondering. I noticed it just as the rudder stock came up, mid gybe, and right before I capsized.
Paul |
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Stu B |
Posted: 23-Sep-07 22:43 |
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Hi Paul,
Did you have the tiller securing pin through the cam?
I have never known the cam to break other than when the tiller securing pin is through the cam and then the rudder blade has hit the ground. If weakened in the past somehow an aggressive gybe could cause a breakage, otherwise i think you were just unlucky!!
A new one should solve the problem.
What age is your Buzz? I think i have seen on earlier Buzzes a cam not so thick which may be more likely to break?
Stuart.
Buzz 763. |
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Mark Wilson |
Posted: 24-Sep-07 08:08 |
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Hi
These are very easy to get from Wet and Windy in Bristol (see links on Bu22.co.uk). However I think we had to drill our own hole so don;t throw away the parts of your old one as you will need it as a template!
Cheers
Jane Buzz 1027 |
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Devon1 |
Posted: 24-Sep-07 12:30 |
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Hi All
Thanks for the replies.
The lock pin wasn't in place so it didn't contribute to the failure. I have been on to Wet and Windy and should have a replacement ASAP. Thanks for the tip about drilling the hole but unfortunately it sheared behind the hole and the part with it is long gone, so I will have to fit it and mark out where the hole needs to be afterwards, though looking at W & W web site the part may be marked out already.
My Buzz is 989 so its a relatively recent boat but it has had its share of knocks and been sailed enthusiastically.
If anyone is interested I can send a photo of the fractured part.
Paul |
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Johan 577 |
Posted: 24-Sep-07 14:27 |
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I've had two of these break this year.
The first had the pin through it, and I forgot to lift the rudder during a particularly messy approach to the slip.
I don't know what heppened with the second cam. It had no hole for the pin, so that wasn't it. I don't remember hitting the ground either. Someone found the cam in the dinghy pen one day, and when I looked at the rudder the cup and spring were still in place. The cam was only five months old or so.
We haven't had much wind recently, so I never noticed it was missing. But the last two weekends have been pretty windy, and having the rudder pop up when on a three sail reach isn't fun - especially the second and third times it happened! |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 24-Sep-07 16:56 |
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3 sails up plus the rudder isn't a nice experience. Not one I'd like to repeat a second or even third time! It has happened to me ONCE - but I decided to action the fault it has not happened again.
Paul, let us know how you get on with Wet & Windy by filling out this form. Same goes for any of you who deal with any supplier.
http://www.isoracing.org.uk/agents.htm
Pete |
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Devon1 |
Posted: 24-Sep-07 23:02 |
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Ok. I'm happy to provide feedback and will send the form in. I have found W&W helpful previously and I was pleased that they took on the Buzz when Topper ceased production.
Paul |
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john cass |
Posted: 25-Sep-07 20:09 |
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After going through two cams in quick succession I decided the design was inherently weak for an aluminium casting. The solution was to make my own cam out of a piece of marine grade aluminium plate supplied by a friend from a skip following repairs to a seacat. This was three years ago and the cam is still going strong. Try this if your new cam fails again. John. |
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Johan 577 |
Posted: 02-Nov-07 15:50 |
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Isn't it supposed to be sacrificial though?
I'd rather replace any number of cams than rip the rudder of the back of the boat! |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 03-Nov-07 08:01 |
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No, I think the design is supposed to be to hold the tiller down unless you run aground hard and the rudder pushes the tiller forward and the cam releases. That as well as hit the tiller vertical and it releases.
Everything is still supposed to be in one piece. |
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Ian Moss |
Posted: 03-Nov-07 19:57 |
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I thought it was sacrificial, but only if you have the pin in? Pin goes through the center of the cam locking it in place. If the rudders takes a knock the cam breaks, so always remember to remove the pin if there is a risk you will touch the bottom. If your stock is set up right even without the pin in the rudder should stay down.
Ian Moss
ISO 1207 |
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Sam Spooner |
Posted: 03-Sep-08 13:22 |
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Hi
I have a Spice and have had 2 rudder lock cams break. I've just made a replacement out of 1/2" thick nylon ( a chunk of which I had lying around having picked it up on a beach a couple of years ago!). I haven't made a copy of the original as I wasn't sure the nylon would be strong enough but a solid block which fills the void in the rudder stock, replacing the whole mechanism and with a slot to locate the pin. It seems to work fine, the slot is tight enough to hold the tiller in place against slight pressure and the locking pin holds the tiller down when sailing. If anybody wants pics I can take some next time I go to the caravan.
Cheers
Chas |
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