I just got my new-used 1988 Prindle 16 all rigged up and ready to go when I noticed some slop in one of the rudders. It looks like the casting has about 1/8" to 1/4"of play on either side of the top of the rudder blade. The other casting appears to be snug without nearly as much play. Not being a metal expert, I'm tinkering with the idea of giving the casting a squeeze in a clamp to bend it back into shape. Unfortunately, I don't have an extra casting on hand in case I goon it up!
Any suggestions out there?
Thanks!
TRowe

I'd go with an insert rather than bending the casting. You can go cheap by cutting some washers from plastic milk cartons, buying plastic washers made for the job, or go all the way up to gluing a trimmed sheet of teflon into the inside of the casting. I've seen it done a million different ways. Let us know what you decide and how it works.

Try electrical tie wraps... this is a trick we use on the I-20... works great. Used by Rod Waterhouse, Micha Heemskerke, and various other long distance rock stars. Cheap, easy and tweakable... wrap around casting in 4 or 4 spots on both sides as well as the plastic washers John recommended. Don't squeeze the castings... castings to not deal well with it.

Jim Stone
Tybee Island
Pirates of the Tybeean Sailing Team

If the other board is really snug in the casting then try exchanging the boards. My experience is that both casting and boards were build to different sizes over the time the Prindles were build. The newer boards were just slightly thicker. This trick may get both your casting and boards to sit relatively tight. On prindles how ever you never get a perfect fit. I always solved the remaining slop by using washers.

(owned a 1975 Prindle 16 and a 1986 Prindle 18)

Wouter

The casting has been bent, likely by backing the boat onto the beach with a rudder down. This is a common problem with these and probably other boats. Castings fatigue easily; it only takes a couple of bends to break them. We know it's already been bent at least once. The next bend may or may not break it. To be safe, just shim it up so it's tight again.

Whatever you do, do not attempt to bend it by heating! That only works with steel!

Jimbo