Catalina Replacement Rudder for 1986 Mk I

[Barry White]

Returning from a multi-week cruise on the Bras D'Or Lakes in Nova Scotia, we struck unmarked rocks entering a cove, at 5 knots, stopping the boat dead in our tracks. I was able to power off the rocks, but sustained some minor keel damage, and a bent rudder stock. the rudder is badly chewed up on the leading edge, and was jammed into the skeg making steering difficult crossing the "center" position. I am pursuing a replacement rudder, and wondered if anyone on the forum has had recent experience with issues of fit, etc, of a new replacement on an older mark I boat. Also whether the new eliptical shape can be fashioned by Catalina too fit the 1986, fin keel model. Feedback re member's experiences as always is much appreciated, although I will obviously have to speak with Catalina Yachts for current price information.

Cheers,

Barry White
S/V Endorfin

[Roc]

Barry,
A simple call to Catalina Yachts can give you that answer.  The nice thing about our boats is the manufacturer is still in business and can help out with things like this.

[Ron Hill]

Barry : As Roc said call Catalina and they will make you a new eliptical rudder for your 1982 MK I with a fin keel.  Not too sure on the manufacturing time, but it shouldn't be too long (couple of weeks?).

Installing the new rudder is NOT "a piece of cake". 

A few thoughts

[Clay Greene]

Sorry to hear about the damage to your boat - that is no fun at all. 

We purchased a replacement rudder for our wing keel 1989 boat this past March.  We ordered on March 22 and it was shipped on April 18.   It took about a week to get here. It took a little longer than originally expected because of a number of similar orders in the spring busy season.  Cost was $2518 plus shipping, total of approximately $2750. 

Perhaps not surprisingly, the rudder will come bare fiberglass - no barrier coat or antifouling paint.  Also, keep in mind that you will most likely need a professional to cut the rudder stock to size and to drill the holes for the quadrant.  The rudder stock is double walled, much thicker than the original, and most non-professionals are not going to have the tools to do the necessary work or to do it the right way.  You'll be surprised when you see the difference from the old rudder. 

We had to have our tiller cap cut down because the hole drilled in the top of the rudder stock was half an inch too low but that is something that could be avoided with proper measurement.  We're also going to have to do some modest reshaping of the rudder skeg next spring because it was a bit of a tight fit and there is a little rubbing when the rudder is turned all the way to port or starboard. 

The good news is that the elliptical rudder shape is a much more effective foil.  I would say it has at least 20 percent more surface area, all on the trailing edge.  We used to round up quite easily in heavy air but find that we can control the boat much better now.

Good luck and let me know I can answer any questions.

[Jeff Tancock]

I too have damage to my rudder and I am planning on having a local yard fabricate a new one. Is there anyone that can give me an idea of what I should have them do to make it more like the newer elliptical design. They will have the old one from my '88 to use as a template. Thanks.....

[Les Luzar]

Let us know what it will cost to fabricate a new rudder. It will be a good comparison to the price of a new rudder.

[Stu Jackson]

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Rudder

Includes Ron's write up showing how he built up his old rudder to the new shape.

[Jeff Kaplan]

Barry,

Back in '05 I replaced the rudder on my 1986 #219 with the new elptical style, cost was $1,287  pt#10787, new tiller cap pt# 324231  cost $60.50, and freight to Ma. was $106-. I had to find a machine shop to cut the shaft to size and drill both holes for the quadrent and tiller cap,obviously bring the old one with you, can't remember how much was cost, but let a pro do this for you, everything must line up correctly.  Call Catalina parts to order, no big deal.  The performance from this new rudder is amazing, turn on a dime.  You have to pick the boat up to drop the old rudder, and to install, the boat yard lifted and tilted the boat. Once in, install the tiller cap, then attach the steering quad. I changed the quad. and the cables at the same time. Now I have a completely new steering system.  Good luck.

Jeff

[Ted Pounds]

Jeff Tancock,
Do you have a fin or a wing keel?  The rudders are very different...

[Gary Brockman]

I researched replacing the rudder on my 1986 when I hauled out this past Feb and decided on going with Foss Foam in Orange County. They already have a rudder for the Catalina 34 and 36 designed by Alan Andrews. The rudder cost $1800 and takes about two weeks to complete. They told me that I should haul the boat out after they call to say it is ready to pick up (not very heavy and will fit in a SUV) and bring the old rudder to them so that they can cut it to size as part of the price. I asked if they could make the rudder six inches deeper and they said they could modify the length included in the same price. Contact is Don Proul 949-646-0244 for a copy of the rudder plan.  For those of you in Southern California Foss is a good alternative to the Catalina rudder and you can avoid the delivery charge. By the way, I put off the new rudder in favor of new electronics.

Gary

[Ron Hill]

Gary : You didn't mention whether you had a wing or a fin keel. 

If you have a wing DO NOT add 6 inches to the depth as it will be the first thing that hits the bottom.

If you have a fin and you look in the old Tech Notes Nov 1998; you'll see that the new elliptical rudder design was also lengthen by 7 inches for that fin keel rudder. The surface area of the fin rudder was also increased.  I printed a picture the old and new rudders superimposed on each other.

There is the same rudder comparison picture of the wing keel rudders in the May 1999 Tech Note issue.

There's a lot of GREAT information in those old Mainsheet tech Notes - but you have to read it!!

A few thoughts

[Gary Brockman]

Ron -

I have a fin keel and I had copies of the rudder plans from Catalina (old rudder, new rudder, and both superimposed together) when I called Foss and that is why I asked if they could extend their rudder as the Alan Andrews rudder (52") is only 1" deeper than my old rudder (51") and 6" shorter than the new Catalina rudder (58").  I also felt that the Andrews rudder probably had a better shape as he is well known for his racing designs and has designed replacement rudders for a lot of race boats.

Gary

[Ron Hill]

Gary : All that I was trying to point out to the readers is that there are Catalina specs. printed for the new elliptical and old rudder designs for the fin and wing keel C34s.

Anyone can change their rudder, just as some of us have done with our wing keel rudders to make them into the newer elliptical design.  I did that probably 8 years ago and it stopped the boat from uncontrollably  heading up into a 18kt & + wind.

The old 1988 wing rudder just didn't have enough surface area to do the job.   

[Jeff Tancock]

Ted......I have a fin keel. Where do I find the printed specs for the new design?

[Ron Hill]

Jeff : If you'll relook at reply #10 you'll see that I said the picture with the specs is printed in the Nov 1989 Mainsheet Tech Notes!!