Broken skeg to rudder brace

[drbob]

The bronze skeg to rudder brace is broken on my 2005 A28TE.
One option is to weld it. I'm contacting the foundry that made it and I'm contacting the new manufacturers of the A28TE. Any other ideas?

Also the rudder box collar ring is cracked in two places. Any ideas here?

Thanks,
Bob DeGroot
2005 A28TE
Cape Coral, FL

[Carl]

do you think you hit something to cause this damage? Do you have any pics?

[Russell]

You can purchase the parts from the original supplier, Buck Algonquin. If you don't see what you want, contact them and they probably have it.
http://catalog.buckalgonquin.com/viewit ... s-straight

[drbob]

SkegBroken_IMG_3759.JPG

The Skeg to rudder brace has a large U shaped part that bolts to the keel and at the other end, a flat piece that bolts to the rudder.

The current strategy will be to weld it. But, I'm still going to try to chase down a source for this part just in case this doesn't hold. We can always have one fabricated out of stainless or bronze, but that's not an inexpensive proposition.

Bob DeGroot
2005 A28TE
Cape Coral, FL

[drbob]

Causes? Unsure. The forward part of the skeg has typical wear and tear that would be associated with normal use and probably a few glancing hits on immovable objects. Nothing that would suggest a head on strike. We'll know more once we get the barnacles cleared in that area.

Bob
2005 A28TE

[jleonard]

If you were around here, I would suggest a small bronze casting shop in Mystic. Use yours for the pattern.

[drbob]

A011-463.PDF

A011-464.PDF

Just got a response from Buck Algonquin:

"Good Morning Bob,

Your skeg bar looks identical to the one we manufactured for Albin. Please see the attached drawing to confirm dimensions. You will need to contact one of our distributors to purchase. Our part # is A28010, his will be the bar and bearing. We have castings in stock and can have it machined to ship in 7 days from time of order. Please let me know if you need anything else.

Have A Great Day ! ! !
Jake Corrice
Sales/Customer Service
PH 410-643-7145

[drbob]

SkegRudderBraceBrokenIMG_1045.JPG

Here's a photo of the brace off the boat and cleaned up ready for the welder.

[Russell]

I was looking at my skeg today and note that there is a little play and a lot of caulk where it attaches to the keel. If someone over tightened the four bolts it might explain what happened. Is your skeg a little wider than the attachment point?

[drbob]

Over tightening the brace may indeed have put undo stress on the casting at that point where it broke.

The price for a new one is around $994 and six to seven weeks delivery (they have the castings but need to machine them). It might be wise to get a precise measurement of that point on the skeg so they can accommodate that in the machining process.

[drbob]

Welded Skeg to Rudder brace looks like new.
Olsen Marine Services in Ft. Myers Beach (Florida) rebuilt the part. Great job. Kudos to the welder.

[Russell]

That looks very good. Glad to know that can be done rather than spend $994 for a replacement.

[Jeremyvmd]

Welding job looks great. The Unwelded side looks like it could use some TLC due to pitting. Might be worth having the clean and reinforce that side...

[OldDemps]

Also the rudder box collar ring is cracked in two places. Any ideas here?

Bob, What did you do about the "rudder box collar ring" that attaches to the aft end of the skeg?

Mine needs to be renewed / rebuilt also (from Electrolysis - photo attached).

I just emailed Buck Algonquin directly on part availability.

[drbob]

I think you're referring to the Skeg bearing on the bottom of the rudder as shown in your photo and PDF. Mine seemed fine.

The plate that surrounds the rudder on the hull is what the yard referred to as the box. It has a surface crack and the current plan is to clean and braze it in place (without removing it from the boat). I'll let you know how that comes out.