posted October 20, 2004 02:11 PM               

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I recently purchase a used CL16 which is in superb condition save for one minor issue. The wooden standoff/spacer blocks for the rudder gudgeons are decayed and need to be replaced. The reason they are there in the first place of course is due to the protruding flange seam of the deck and hull joint. I would almost prefer sawing a vee-notch in the joint to allow me to flush mount the gudgeon directly to the face of the transom thereby eliminating these spacers. Doing this would move the entire rudder assembly closer to the stern; what effect that would have I am not sure. Any thoughts?

IP: 24.39.201.232

posted October 20, 2004 04:01 PM              

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I have somewhat the same problem... And as to your question.... it might restrict your turning power.

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Canadian Sailor ;)
"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you
criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes."

IP: 216.209.110.51

posted October 20, 2004 06:38 PM               

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Replacement spacers are available from CL Sailboats. Call Cody and he will set you up. Cheap and easy to replace.

IP: 65.95.104.242

posted October 21, 2004 08:33 PM               

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My spacer blocks are nylon or some plastic material. The joints between the deck and hull being cut may cause some weakness or leak potential. The boat has been around a long time and if the spacing between the transom and rudder had a problem the racers would have modified it. My boat was origninally owned by an avid racer and the spacers are still there.
The only problem with the rudder spaced away from the transom is sometimes in some designs there is a backwash action that can interupt steering control.
Good sailing tom d

IP: 152.163.101.13

posted March 07, 2005 12:12 AM               

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My advice on this topic would be to HANG the rudder during the replacement of the spacers. I didn't; I just lined up the new spacers on the old holes and attached, and now the rudder is just 'a bit' too tight to remove. The pintles drop into the gudgeons just fine, but after a day of sailing they're wedged in too tight to remove by hand. So that's why I keep an old 18" Stanley screwdriver in the laz, just to wedge the rudder out. I really ought to reset the placement of the gudgeons but ... I'd rather be sailing.

Chris

IP: 64.252.136.157

posted March 07, 2005 05:29 PM               

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I did the same thing on our last boat Chris. Although it was a pain to remove, I think it really helped the performance of the boat. There was absolutely no vibration or rattling.
Shortwaves pintels jiggle a bit so we're thinking of putting in a a tighter set to minimize any play in the rudder to water flow.
D'Arcy

IP: 67.70.84.42