Bavaria 37 Corrosion of the lower rudder bearing

[jayne vincent]

Hello

Has anyone else had any problems with corrosion of the rudder bearing housing. We have recently been in exchanges with Clipper Marine avout corrosion of our bearings that has been happening since the boat was purchased new in 2006.

We've now established that the problem has occurred because the additional anode, purchased when the boat was commissioned from Peters Opal, was not bonded up to the aluminium rudder bearing housing. The picture shows some of the corrosion and it was only a quick decision to lift the baot out of the water to llok at why the rudder was seizing up that prevented a serious incident at sea that a complete seizure could have caused. Bavaria yachts have kindly agreed to supply new bearing parts under warranty but Clipper Marine will not help us out with the repair.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

[Raytrace]

I have a 2006 Bavaria 37 that was inactive in the water for about 18 months. The rudder is completely seized up. Your post presents a likely explanation. Did you resolve your problem?

[RobertDinion]

My 2006 42 rudder bearings are very worn and the rudder post is knocking. Can you give more details on what happened to yours?
Thanks
Robbie Dinion
2006 Bavaria 42 Cruiser
www.sailingallover.com (http://www.sailingallover.com)

[Kenmagnum]

I see some Bavaria owners have suffered seized rudders due to corrosion in the rudder post caused by the lack of electrical bonding.

On my 2000 boat the rudder post has not been bonded and during this season I have noticed a slight weep from the area of the post. It has not been sufficiently bad to consider lifting out and there is no seizing or stiffness in the steering. It is however my intention to drop the rudder for a full inspection once the boat is ashore for the winter in a few weeks time.

I guess seeing that the boat has now served us very well for 10 seasons it is now due an inspection of items such as the rudder and keel bolts. Seacocks have already been replaced, using the Blakes variety to the heads.

Has anyone else had experience of the rudder post leaking or drawn a keel bolt to check the possibility of corrosion?

[Guest]

I see some Bavaria owners have suffered seized rudders due to corrosion in the rudder post caused by the lack of electrical bonding.

On my 2000 boat the rudder post has not been bonded and during this season I have noticed a slight weep from the area of the post. It has not been sufficiently bad to consider lifting out and there is no seizing or stiffness in the steering. It is however my intention to drop the rudder for a full inspection once the boat is ashore for the winter in a few weeks time.

I guess seeing that the boat has now served us very well for 10 seasons it is now due an inspection of items such as the rudder and keel bolts. Seacocks have already been replaced, using the Blakes variety to the heads.

Has anyone else had experience of the rudder post leaking or drawn a keel bolt to check the possibility of corrosion?

I have just inspected my 03' Cruiser 41 and found the keel bolts are fine just a little surface tea-staining. The local expert suggests a new blob of Sika and torque them up every year (make sure the back stay is loosened right off so the boat is not bent).

The rudder bearings all though slightly gouged/pitted do still fit the rudder stock and housing equally well so I will be giving them another season in service. There did appear to be a fair bit of marine growth around the base of the bearing housing that seems to be the likely cause of the pitting and slight water ingress, I will see how a liberal coating with grease goes over the next 12 months.

Z.