Rudder Maintenance Questions

I have the rudder out of the boat to put new packing gland rope in. Does anyone know if the 11A rudder on the boat ('87 Martinique) takes the 3/16 or 1/4 rope?   (I think those are the two size packing rope available).

Also, does anybody apply grease, or anti-seize, or anything else when reinstalling the rudder? I have read that some people put grease zurks in to the rudder shaft housing. I don't really want to do that, but, just curious if I should apply something to it to make for easier steering.

By the way, when I bought the boat, the steering cable was really stiff. I ended up using the acetone/trans fluid mix to help break the cable free and lubricate it. I let it soak over the winter with the Assa-Trans, and some other lubes. Worked great! The cable moves very easily now.

Dave,
Using some grease is a good idea.

woodyelc wrote: EPA does not like grease going into the water.

I hear that, and especially in Wisconsin. Nor do I want to put grease in the water. I have just been confused about whether Correct Craft suggests lubricating the rudder. Zurks, no zurks, grease, anti-seize, etc, etc.

I believe the grease zerk ports from cc were o-ring sealed.

Greasing an unsealed port seems unwise to me.

Thanks for all responses.

On the grease....I may put a VERY light coating of marine grade grease on it. TBD.

On the rope.....Attached are pics of the rope I pulled out. I couldn't tell what the diameter was. Five rings worth.

Joe.....how many rings/windings did you put in?? I thought five were too many. Maybe not.

I took out two mangled threads, put 3 in -

shierh wrote: I used GFO packing for rudder and drive shaft. No need for other lube.    Had a boat years ago that had o ring seals on the rudder shaft, no packing. had to keep it greased.

What is a GFO packing? Where do you get it?

Also, can the good old fashioned wax rope packing be used for the rudder and drive shaft, or are you guys using the kevlar rope packing? I think my supply store just has the old fashioned wax rope, but, I do recall buying kevlar rope packing years ago from Skidim.

Jonny Quest wrote: GFO packing is Gore-Tex almost dripless packing. GFO Packing can be had here: LINK JQ

$13.90 for 24 inches from Skidim or $12.03 for 60 inches from McMaster