Rudder Question Please?

[flyboy]

There are four bolts holding the rudder to the hull. the two towards the rear are loose and will freely spin when I try to tighten them up. The two forward screws seems tight.

What's on the other end of this screw? Anything? Or are these screwed into some material that may have given over time? I have attached a pix for viewing pleasure.

TIA,

[freeheel4life]

There's nuts in the bilge. believe you will need a 9/16" wrench. Access can be a bitch on some boats. Good luck

[flyboy]

Bolts! That would sux!

TY!

[lee]

They are through bolted with a backing plate on the inside.

[Jetdriver]

Time for those yoga classes to payoff! That's gonna be a tough reach, probably have to pull your battery(ies) or unscrew your taps pump from the floor and move it aside while you cram your face and hopefully an arm into the bilge. Im assuming that stuff is in the back of your boat. Have kids? Put them to work man! Send little Johnny in with a wrench in hand with explicit instructions not to come out until the jobs done! Maybe hire a midget, I mean little person. Good luck sir!

[IDBoating]

You're glad they are through-bolted with a backing plate and nuts. Otherwise what's the option - wood screws into fiberglass? No thanks!

I know it will be a PITA to work on but you'd be working on it a lot more often if it weren't bolts with nuts.

[freeheel4life]

I'm 6'0 and around 270# and I haven't been stumped by one yet. Depending on the engine/exhaust/transom a lot of times you can put a pad on the top of the motor, lay on top, then reach down there with wobble sockets and some extensions on a ratchet. Then you just need a guy outside and underneath to rattle em out for you.

[lee]

By his signature, he has a direct drive which means he will have just a fuel tank to go under.

[freeheel4life]

Good catch Lee. Didn't notice his boat tag. Haven't had a direct drive switch come through our shop, just switch v. I know the obvious denotations of i vs v for these generations but what's with the ci?? See lots of slms as well. What were the major changes between the two??

[lee]

CI is closed bow.

[flyboy]

Thanks guys....I'm going IN!!!!!!!!!!

Is access through the battery holes, or do I need to remove the carpeting under the rear storage area for access? I'm going to take a look now and see....and yes, this is one of two closed bows Tige made and the only one in the USA i'm told?

[flyboy]

This is the model.

April07 003a.jpg

[flyboy]

There is no way to access from either battery holes? Looks like I have to remove the storage area carpet which isnt plainly visible to do?TigeStorage.jpg

EDIT! I figured it out! I impress myself at times:-)

[flyboy]

OK, good news is bolts are all there! Now I'll need a munchkin to get in there and place a 9/16th on it!tigebolts.jpg

[freeheel4life]

Makeup mirror and a good light can also make a world of difference. Two tools that I use often.