bent my rudder

[jeepn]

last trip out in the fall, i hit my first stump. i can't complain too much, had my boat 7 years in texas and this is my first.

i have the prop situation handled, but i also bent the rudder i am pretty sure. the steering is difficult when turning hard left or hard right, and i can see the brass bushing is shiny at the ends of the rudder rotation.

it's a 1992 ski nautique, what am i looking at to replace or repair this? is it difficult to pull the gas tank to get to it and replace it? can i just get it straightened?

thanks for your help.

[jaybird]

bent rudder

It is usually both the rudder housing and rudder that sustain damage. It is not too difficult removing the gas tank but you may not need too, read on. Regardless if you repair or replace you may need to remove both the rudder and housing unless the rudder is not noticeable bent, in this case you may be able to remove only the rudder and run a long body ream into the housing without removing it from the boat. I do not recall what size the shaft is on the rudder but you will need a ream about .020" over sized. You should be able to remove the rudder without removing the gas tank. If you can locate a local machine shop they may be able to repair the damage depending on how sever it is. I am fortunate and run a manufacturing business that has a machine shop and have made this repair twice, it involves fitting the housing to the rudder. I believe the material is a type of naval bronze and must be cold form repaired. Heating the material is not advisable.