pico rudder

   That is just what our pico rudder did.  Good old "performance" sailcraft (actually they never said "high" performance, could always have meant "c**p" performance)
If it won't go up and down and the bolt is stuck due to all that rusting metal inside the blade, it's probably dead.  Even if you fix it, you will be left with "rudder keeps popping up" problem of Mk 1 Picos - ie every time you take your weight off the tiller it unlocks the rudder blade, which rises and takes lots of force to steer - hence the cracks in the first place quite probably.

Frankly I'd grit my teeth and stump up the £265 for a new blade, stock and tiller (and yes I know that's 25% or more of the cost of a 2nd hand pico   )

Alternatively ... if race legal isn't a concern (and why should it be) you could probably cut down an old wooden rudder blade from a different boat.  A few hours of sawing, angle-griding, sanding and painting ......   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dinghy-Rudder-/181399799938?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item2a3c454882

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NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Topic: pico rudder Posted: 09 May 14 at 5:00pm
	That is just what our pico rudder did. Good old "performance" sailcraft (actually they never said "high" performance, could always have meant "c**p" performance) If it won't go up and down and the bolt is stuck due to all that rusting metal inside the blade, it's probably dead. Even if you fix it, you will be left with "rudder keeps popping up" problem of Mk 1 Picos - ie every time you take your weight off the tiller it unlocks the rudder blade, which rises and takes lots of force to steer - hence the cracks in the first place quite probably. Frankly I'd grit my teeth and stump up the £265 for a new blade, stock and tiller (and yes I know that's 25% or more of the cost of a 2nd hand pico ) Alternatively ... if race legal isn't a concern (and why should it be) you could probably cut down an old wooden rudder blade from a different boat. A few hours of sawing, angle-griding, sanding and painting ...... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dinghy-Rudder-/181399799938?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item2a3c454882
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

moomin Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 19 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote moomin Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 14 at 3:45pm
	Sorry to add to your misery but you're also missing the nylon lump that sits on top of the thread that sticks out the top of the stock. This should engage with the grooves in the underside of the tiller and lock the rudder down. It will work with just the thread but the rudder will be slightly off vertical and liable to pop up occasionally. You can see on the photos where the thread has worn away after rubbing on the retaining block on the tiller. Another pieces of c**p laser design they denied was a problem but strangely decided to change in later versions to an aluminium lump and have now given up on completely and gone for a standard piece of string in a jammer to hold the rudder down. Post affected by far too many hours swearing at sailing school Pico rudders and the constant repairs required!
	Moomin

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 14 at 2:12pm
	If there's definitely no thread in the stock you could try pressing it out. Best done with a vice but a G cramp will probably work. Get a socket or something and put it over the bolt head and push the bolt from the other side. Start it off with a nut in place but backed off a turn from tight to start the first millimetre.

web Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 06 May 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote web Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 14 at 12:40pm
	[QUOTE=web] this is the crack. I have spoken to others and they think it is possible to repair this? that is why im taking caution when removing the bolt. Also the bracket doesnt swivel as its meant to. due to the crack the plastic has raised up, preventing the rudder from being able to raise, so even if the crack was filled it still wont work properly.

web Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 06 May 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote web Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 14 at 12:32pm
	this is the crack. I have spoken to others and they think it is possible to repair this? that is why im taking caution when removing the bolt

laser193713 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889	Post Options Post Reply Quote laser193713 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 14 at 12:04pm
	Hit it harder... The blade is knackered anyway, what's the worst that could happen!?

web Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 06 May 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote web Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 8:55pm
	Thanks for this, it does seem like a common fault.....I have found a company in the US which makes mahogany 'pico' rudder blades for a fraction of the cost of a new one here, I have sent a photo and they seem to think it will work........at the moment I am trying to get the blade off the stock, the bolt is turning but not coming out - I have tapped it with a hammer at the same time as turning the nut, any hints ??? Thanks

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 8:17pm
	My pico rudder did the same thing. The cheapskates at performance sailcraft made the original rudder blades of foam cast onto MILD STEEL re-inforcing bars. A micro-crack appears, water gets in, the bars rust and expand and the rudder cracks open. I found no way to repair mine. You can rout it out and fill with fibre glass filler but it will usually crack again. Later spec pico rudders are some sort of injection moulded plastic; I bought the full price replacement and it's been fine. The LATEST pico rudders are extruded aluminium , so should last forever .... but may not fit your existing stock. Sadly, sailing ain't a cheap sport.
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 8:00pm
	Go to Post reply, not quick reply, and click on the tree image. Then browse for the pic on your computer and upload it.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

web Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 06 May 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote web Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 7:58pm
	please can someone tell me how to post a photo..............many thanks