Re: [Paddlewise] Rudder Maintenance & Repair

Clyde Sisler wrote:

> What sort of maintenance, if any can/should be performed on them?  I hose the outside down pretty
> good after each use but not the inside.  Other than eyeballing the cable occassionally, I don't
> know what else to do. I don't use the rudder often and usually don't check to see if it's working
> until I need/want it.  A few times it would not lower when required and I don't think it's ever
> raised on request.

Take out the bolt on which the rudder pivots and remove it.  Make sure that the disk
to which the lift/lower line attaches is clean.  It's easy for fine sand to get in there and
roughen up the surface.  Between that and the grit itself, you can get a fair amount of
friction.  I've used very fine sandpaper on the disks (they're plastic on my rudder - not
sure if this is true of all) and smoothed them.  I've also checked the aluminum surfaces
for scratches.

Also check that the rudder is still straight.  I got my kayak second hand and it
had been repeatedly bent and straightened (it was a rental).  The result was
an S shaped bend at the top that interfered with the action and prevented smooth
deployment.  I took it into the workshop and hammered it flat.

Mike

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