Rudder Torque

[jedgell]

I just bought a 95 SN and the steering is real sloppy in the course. There isn't any play in the steering, it all seems tight. The previous owner filed the right side of the rudder, but I thought for RH rotation the left should be filed down to give left pull. Should I file the right side more to give me a right pull, or file the left hand side? How much do I need to file off to make a difference? Since the right side has already been filed will it hurt to file the left side? Thank you for your help.

[bretski75]

It is sloppy in the course and the steering is tight? IS there a constant pressure on the wheel to the left or right? (When you let go does the boat turn)

As far as I know grinding down the rudder will apply more or less pressure on the steering, In hope to keep the steering 'tight'. When you have a neutral rudder situation is there it gets 'loose' and hard to hold a straight line.

[skinautique]

I would file the left side so that when you let the wheel go, the boat turns left. Take a little at a time and test it with a skier.

[jedgell]

The steering itself is not loose, but while driving the boat is hard to keep straight. There is no pull to either side, I can let go of the steering wheel and it continues to go straight. Am I hurting anything by filing down the left side of the rudder, since the right side has been filed down?

[skinautique]

You won't hurt anything. I think it is pretty cool. You have the same boat that I have! What number is yours out of 100? The only thing to look out for when you shave it is that you don't shave too much at once. Do a little bit at a time and you will be all set.

[jedgell]

Thanks for the help with the rudder, I'll work on it this weekend! How can I tell which # out of 100 I have? Were only 100 Signature Editions made in 95? I just got the boat last month, and I love it! Just need to get Perfect Pass and I'll be set!

[skinautique]

Yeah they only made 100 of them. The first three letters are the manufacturer of the boat. Then there are a couple of other numbers (can't remember what they stand for. Then look a little further on the Hull number and there is a letter in it. This tells what month the boat was built (a=january, b=february, etc) Right before that letter should be a number. That is your boat number (only applies to the signature editions). The last two numbers are the year that the boat was produced.

You can find the hull number in the right corner on the back of the boat below the platform.

[cabcadd]

Filing rudder - adding steering torque.

Where do you file on the left side of the rudder?

I've filed a little bit on the left side near the trailing edge but still mostly on the flat part of the rudder. Didn't file much and felt no effect on steering one way or the other.

I noticed that the trailing edge of the rudder has a radius cut on the right side of the rudder. The radius appears stock and the steering is very neutral. This got me to wondering if I should be filing more on the left trailing edge of the rudder rather than the flat surface of the rudder near the trailing edge.

Any guidance is appreciated.

[jedgell]

RE: Filing rudder - adding steering torque.

Cabcadd,
Hold the file at 45 degrees to the rudder and file the trailing edge. That's what I was told, and it worked great for me. Don't be afraid to take too much, it takes a bit to make a difference. You can always file the right side a little if you go too far.

[cabcadd]

Thanks.

I'll give that a try this weekend.

[darrel409]

RE: Thanks.

My brother in law, has a 95 Sign edition also. It is a very sharp boat!

[cabcadd]

Filing Rudder

Filing at a 45 degree angle worked great.

I filed about 15-20 strokes on the port (left side facing the bow) side trailing edge of the rudder. We skied the boat and got minimal but noticable torque on the rudder while holding a straight line in the coarse. Boat wants to turn left when holding a straight line.

I filed another 10 strokes on the rudder once back on the trailer and I think that will be perfect.

Thanks for the help.