Anyone have any photos or assembly drawings of the rudder-post-bearings setup for a Freedom 35, mid 90’s vintage? Appreciate any help you can provide.
I’m not sure if it is in the owner’s manual, and mine is on the boat, asleep for the winter.
If you do not have access to the manual I’d be happy to check it, but it may be a while…let me know.
Attempting to attach schematic from manual.
Sorry to be late on replying to your email. Holidays and finding the pictures slowed down the process.
Tides Marine makes the rudder bearing. Give them your year and model and they will guide you to the proper size.
A couple of years ago, I towed a lobster bouy overnight caught on the rudder post while sailing to Maine. (I was doing 5+ in 12k of wind. I was happy.) I ended up having to replace the bearing. Tides was out of the model. I was at a good yard that had a machine shop. (Name of the yard is withheld for reasons you will see.) They made a replacement bearing to Tides specs.
Rudder reinstalled. Once in the water, I found the rudder was hitting the bottom of the boat when I turned. A collar was crafted that could be installed without pulling the rudder again.
(I did have to pay for a second lift even though their work allowed the rudder to hit.) I’ve seen similar collars on other Freedoms.
Best of luck.
Stephen,
My F35 is having to have the rudder bearing replaced. I have reached out to Tides Marine, who is mentioned in the post and they recommended to make a new part. My question is if you had dimensions for the collar? My guess is that installing a new bearing may result in the same rub on the hull and perhaps I just have them make a collar. Please let me know as that may save some guess and hauling work. Thanks,
Steve
F35 Hull 30
Steve,
I’ve learned since then that this was the wrong approach. There should be two rudder bearings installed on the rudder post. This should prevent the rudder from hitting. This should eliminate the need for the collar that I now live with. I was misguided by the head mechanic at a major boat yard in Rockland, ME.
And I have no idea of the dimensions. Sorry. Tides Marine should have the dimensions of the bearing.
Best of luck.
Stephen