Folks have problems with the old style rudder releasing mechanism, usually due to worn parts or loose installation. There was also a retrofit to put a nylon tube around the carriage bolt on the fiberglass boats to limit movement.
Showing posts with label alcort rudder releasing mechanism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alcort rudder releasing mechanism. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Alcort 1953-1971 Rudder Releasing Mechanism Tips
22 Jul 19:
Folks have problems with the old style rudder releasing mechanism, usually due to worn parts or loose installation. There was also a retrofit to put a nylon tube around the carriage bolt on the fiberglass boats to limit movement.
Folks have problems with the old style rudder releasing mechanism, usually due to worn parts or loose installation. There was also a retrofit to put a nylon tube around the carriage bolt on the fiberglass boats to limit movement.
Monday, June 3, 2019
1963 Alcort Sunfish CHIP 03 Jun 19 Rub Rails and Rudder
03 Jun 19:
Coat of TotalBoat Topside Primer for the rubrails, which are preshaped pine trim from Lowes.
Sanded rudder with 120 grit on a DeWALT random orbital sander, rinsed with Clorox.
3rd and 4th coats of TotalBoat Halcyon varnish.
Installed rudder releasing mechanism, patented 1953 and used until 1969.
Installed the bridle eyestraps 10 inches forward of the transom, to the center of the strap. Fastened with #10 silicone bronze Frearson head wood screws, predrilled pilot hole.
2 coats of TotalBoat Halcyon varnish for rudder and tiller.
Gathering bits for CHIP, daggerboard, halyard and sheet.
Log of CHIP.
Coat of TotalBoat Topside Primer for the rubrails, which are preshaped pine trim from Lowes.
Sanded rudder with 120 grit on a DeWALT random orbital sander, rinsed with Clorox.
3rd and 4th coats of TotalBoat Halcyon varnish.
Installed rudder releasing mechanism, patented 1953 and used until 1969.
Installed the bridle eyestraps 10 inches forward of the transom, to the center of the strap. Fastened with #10 silicone bronze Frearson head wood screws, predrilled pilot hole.
2 coats of TotalBoat Halcyon varnish for rudder and tiller.
Gathering bits for CHIP, daggerboard, halyard and sheet.
Log of CHIP.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Alcort Super Sailfish ZSA ZSA 28 Nov 18 Rudder Assembly Installation
28 Nov 18:
Time to trim the new keel on the Super Sailfish and fit the latch plate, the bronze plate for the rudder assembly that is on the keel. The important measurement is the distance from the deck plate to the keel plate, we took that off of our wooden Sunfish, which uses the same assembly and has the same size transom.
Brought the measurement over to the SUper Sailfish transom and marked the keel strip.
Marked how far up the keel strip to cut, and how deep.
Scribed the cut with a Japanese pull saw then cut with a multi oscillating tool. Smoothed the cut and trimmed to final shape with a 1 inch long handle chisel. The latch plate is secured at the forward end with a #8 silicone bronze screw that goes through the keel strip and into the internal keel longeron. The aft part of the latch plate is secured with a carriage bolt that goes through the latch plate, up through the transom and then through the spring plate on the deck. A wing nut tops off the carriage bolt.
Well the boat is upside down but you get the idea. Wing nut tightens or loosens to control pressure on the latch plate, if an obstruction is hit the vertical plate of the rudder pops out of the latch plate because downward pressure is put on the spring plate. Tightening the wing nut tightens the latch plate and makes it harder for the vertical plate to pop out.
Log of ZSA ZSA.
Time to trim the new keel on the Super Sailfish and fit the latch plate, the bronze plate for the rudder assembly that is on the keel. The important measurement is the distance from the deck plate to the keel plate, we took that off of our wooden Sunfish, which uses the same assembly and has the same size transom.
Brought the measurement over to the SUper Sailfish transom and marked the keel strip.
Marked how far up the keel strip to cut, and how deep.
Scribed the cut with a Japanese pull saw then cut with a multi oscillating tool. Smoothed the cut and trimmed to final shape with a 1 inch long handle chisel. The latch plate is secured at the forward end with a #8 silicone bronze screw that goes through the keel strip and into the internal keel longeron. The aft part of the latch plate is secured with a carriage bolt that goes through the latch plate, up through the transom and then through the spring plate on the deck. A wing nut tops off the carriage bolt.
Well the boat is upside down but you get the idea. Wing nut tightens or loosens to control pressure on the latch plate, if an obstruction is hit the vertical plate of the rudder pops out of the latch plate because downward pressure is put on the spring plate. Tightening the wing nut tightens the latch plate and makes it harder for the vertical plate to pop out.
Log of ZSA ZSA.
Alcort First Gen Rudder Assembly 1949-1972
Short video on the first generation rudder system from Alcort, used on the Saifish and Sunfish from 1949-1972. Patented 1954.
We can help fix your rudder and have parts. Please leave a message.
We can help fix your rudder and have parts. Please leave a message.
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Alcort Rudder Releasing Mechanism
22 Nov 18:
This is the way the old style (1947-1972) flip up rudder operates. When the rudder is in the latched position and a backward force is exerted against it as in beaching the Sailfish or on encountering a submerged obstruction, the beveled surface of the hinge plate slides on the matching bevel of the latch forcing it down against the head of the carriage bolt. The carriage bolt then exerts a downward force on the spring. When this force is sufficient to depress the spring the latch drops allowing the hinge plate to swing free. The spring tension can be adjusted as desired by tightening or loosening the wing nut. In general the least tension of the spring which will hold the rudder in the latched position while sailing is the best adjustment and will let the rudder flip up without damage when encountering an obstacle. However, on very windy days when you wish to be sure that the rudder stays latched, it can be positively locked in the down position by tightening the wing nut. (Assembly Instructions For Building Your Sailfish Kit, Alcort, 1960).
On the wooden boats the carriage bolt is held straight because it goes through the transom. On the fiberglass boats the bolt is free and slop can develop. Alcort added a plastic tube to help hold the bolt vertical on later boats.
This is the way the old style (1947-1972) flip up rudder operates. When the rudder is in the latched position and a backward force is exerted against it as in beaching the Sailfish or on encountering a submerged obstruction, the beveled surface of the hinge plate slides on the matching bevel of the latch forcing it down against the head of the carriage bolt. The carriage bolt then exerts a downward force on the spring. When this force is sufficient to depress the spring the latch drops allowing the hinge plate to swing free. The spring tension can be adjusted as desired by tightening or loosening the wing nut. In general the least tension of the spring which will hold the rudder in the latched position while sailing is the best adjustment and will let the rudder flip up without damage when encountering an obstacle. However, on very windy days when you wish to be sure that the rudder stays latched, it can be positively locked in the down position by tightening the wing nut. (Assembly Instructions For Building Your Sailfish Kit, Alcort, 1960).
On the wooden boats the carriage bolt is held straight because it goes through the transom. On the fiberglass boats the bolt is free and slop can develop. Alcort added a plastic tube to help hold the bolt vertical on later boats.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)