[C320-list] Emergency Tiller and Rudder Post

[Michael Leschisin via C320-list]

Hey gang,

I recently replaced a cracked deck plate that accesses the top of my rudder post and sits just behind the helm on my boat.

Once the new one was in, I thought I should really get out the emergency tiller and do a fire drill before I actually need to use it. Surprisingly, I found there is no way to attach the tiller to the rudder post on my boat. After doing some internet research, it seems the vertical post of the emergency tiller should drop down inside the rudder post and cross over a bolt that sits at the top. The rudder post on my boat is completely filled, level to the top with what seems to be a high density foam. I’m wondering if anyone else has this and what the purpose for the foam might be.

The deck plate has a gasket but it doesn’t seem to completely keep water out so I’m guessing a previous owner either had some water issue with the rudder, possibly delamination, or just got sick of water gathering in the top of the rudder post and filled it in. I’m thinking of drilling/digging the foam out so I can steer the boat in an emergency but I don’t want to undo something if this foam has a purpose. Does anyone have a similar set up or know why the foam would be in there?

Thanks much,


Michael Leschisin
Wild Blue Yonder
2005 C320 995
Menominee, MI

[surprise thompson87.com via C320-list]

When the inspection port leaks (and they inevitably do sooner or later) that cavity that you find filled with foam fills with water. So your hypothesis about what a previous owner did seems correct to me. There is no foam there for me. And if your emergency tiller has the slots needed for a bolt then presumably a bolt was there in the past (or perhaps is still there but covered with foam).

BTW, my recollection is that you can see the ends of the bolt through the top of the rudder post on the outside of the post. Did you notice whether they are there? Or holes where a bolt might have gone previously?

Also BTW, the cavity in question isn't very deep so you shouldn't have to dig out very much foam.

T. Scott Thompson
Catalina 320 “Surprise,” #653 (1999)
surp...@thompson87.com

[SARA SCHROEDER via C320-list]

Scott is correct that when that cavity fills with water, it will leak down the fiberglass bulkhead in the aft cabin. My fix was to replace the deck plate, replace the gasket, use a silicone gel all around the gasket to keep water from penetrating, which it will invariably will again. Glad you checked it out.

Sara
Wandering Star
Seattle
#707/2000

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

I replaced that entire deck plate shortly after I bought our boat in 2017 which significantly reduced any water intrusion. I had discovered that this plate had been a major source of water leaking into my boat.  I had always thought the seal/latch design on the lid of the assembly was poor (it just doesn't  compress the rubber seal much at all); therefore, I was not surprised over the years later that water would seep into the top of the rudder area. However, I decided just recently to replace the whole assembly again. I discovered that the bedding for the plate, not the lid, was the primary problem. The plate had been held down with 6 sheet metal screws into the fiberglass deck and bedding compound (4200). The screws were not holding adequately in the deck so the seal under the plate was compromised and the real source of the major seepage. I decided to use butyl tape under the new plate and hold it down by thru-bolting it with thin machine bolts and nuts. I have checked afterward several times and I am getting virtually no seepage (even though I would expect the lid to leak because I still believe the seal design is poor). 
I do not have any foam on the top of my rudder post and don't understand why anyone would do that.
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Sun, Aug 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM, SARA SCHROEDER via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Scott is correct that when that cavity fills with water, it will leak down the fiberglass bulkhead in the aft cabin.  My fix was to replace the deck plate, replace the gasket, use a silicone gel all around the gasket to keep water from penetrating, which it will invariably will again.  Glad you checked it out.