Rudder shim kit???

My rudder makes odd noises when I steer under power. A fellow cruiser mentioned that there is a shim kit which mounts just under the rudder where it attaches to the shoe fitting. Seems mine may have too much play? I am interested in any photos or costs? Do I need to reMove the entire rudder? Is there space to slide the shim in place? Any pictures?

Thanks

Terri Ivins
Sailbatical

Terri:
The Island Packet Factory sells this rudder shim kit. It presses into the bottom of the rudder where the weed shoe (bottom support bar) attaches to the bottom of the rudder. The factory sent this photo of the kit which also includes the directions. See photo here.

ipyoa.com/photos/62-hayden/album?albumid=259

Here is the photo as well...




Hayden

I don't have photos but the bearing is a horseshoe shapped piece of delrin about 1" thick. The Shims are just strips of stainless about 1" by 3" and close the gap between the shoe and the delrin bearing. Unfortunately the problem with my boat an IP35 which had a similar problem, the shoe itself was loose where it attached to the back of the keel.

So, what problem is this shim kit supposed to correct? Noise? Vibration? Looseness?

The rudder shim kit is to help to reduce rudder Vibration.
Hayden

Ho.... OK, that's interesting!

Because -

One of the things that was/is still hanging is this. Under power, at RPM > about 3300 or so, there is a terrible vibration/noise. I thought it was probably the Autoprop, which had just been serviced after who-knows-how-long. It does not occur with the transmission in neutral - only under power (I didn't check for it in reverse gear.) I didn't have the helm at the time, so I don't know whether any vibration was transmitted up to the wheel.

The vibration really didn't worry me, because we were up to hull-speed well before we ever got to 3000 RPM. And in its new environment, the engine will get service going to the pumpout and to get out of the marina - that's about it.

But if I could logically attribute this vibration to the rudder, I'd certainly put this shim in, and see what happens. We'll be out of the water for May and part of June, so

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Thoughts?

Thx