"Randy Haupton" wrote in message
...
I get a vibration in the steering system of my old Owens 27. I've checked
and had checked all the steering linkages and the gearbox and there is no
play. Also I checked the boat (it is old) for hogging underway and none
what so ever. I've got the problem down to being that the rudder is not
balanced. I have called dozens of prop shops up and down the coast to see
if they do rudder balancing, none of them do. I can't even get them to
point to someone who does. Does anyone know of any shops that balance
rudders? Otherwise, it looks like I'm going to have to braze material on to
the leading edge of the rudder and grind it off in a trial and error
fashion until the rudder balance. One old guy said to try bending the
rudder relative to the shaft so the center of effort is moved forward but I
don't think this is good advice. It would give the rudder a forward canted
leading edge which I don't think is good. Thanks.

Randy

You did say that it is an older boat.
Sounds as if there must be too much wear, giving excessive clearance in the
rudder hangings or bearings that support the rudder.
Get hold of it and see if you can shake it. If you can then renew bearings
etc. as required.
It is highly unlikely that you need to start redesigning the rudder on an
old established design.