The Rudder Cassette wobbles. So much that steering is difficult. This is the first Mend.
We have found the first problem on Champagne, our Thames A-Rater No.21.The rudder cassette has a noticeable wobble. When the tiller moves, the cassette moves first and only then does the rudder start to turn. That means lost steering precision and a repair that needs investigating before Champagne returns to racing on the River Thames.
This is the first challenge in our journey to restore and race this classic Thames A-Rater.
Will it be a simple fix, or is there something more serious hiding underneath?
Follow along as we uncover the history, restoration and racing potential of Champagne No.21.
We decided that the best way to fix the cassette was to put in some shims - I I bought 10 sheets of Mahogany Veneer about 0.5mm thick. I calculated that with the waterproof glue we would need 2 layers each side to make up the gap. But before we could add these the sides needed cleaning up and some plastic tape that had been added years before needed to be removed. Some of the varnish was very flaky, and this needed to be removed before restoration could start.
Next, templates had to be made. In fact we made two and an electronic version as well, so that later we could make a new cassette if needed.
Now the Veneer could be cut from the templates and checked before fixing in place
Using special waterproof glue, Marine Sealant - Waterproof PU Wood Adhesive, we fixed the veneer to the side and clamped for 15 minutes to fix the veneer in place. We had the whole cassette including the rudder and tiller. this made the system unwieldly, so we decided to carefully take the cassette apart. this mad ethe handling and glue part easier. Then we repeated the process until two veneers had been applied to each side to make up the gap.
With a liberal about of graphite powder in the holes in the cassette the rudder slid in easily and was secured by a split pin and then the tiller and its extension were fixed. the whole thing slid into the cassette box snugly and there was no more wobble.
