oceans 47cc rudder bearings

[martinchambers]

our 2002 oceans 47cc rudder is very difficult to turn. I have removed steering cables and rudder still difficult, so the problem appears to be bearings? This first happened after several months out of the water, got better after some use but now out of water again and very stiff.
Can anyone explain why being out of water for a time siezes the rudder.
And, is there a solution other than dropping rudder and replacing bearings. I assume the 47cc has jeffa bearings but I couldn't see a model on the jeffa Web. The boat is in Lombok and we will not be back there until next year, but I am hoping this might be that I can buy bearings to take back when we go. thanks for help.

[Yngmar]

They swell up when out of the water and the lower one is basically water lubricated, which dries out as well. If they're original, they will not be Jefa, but JP3 bearings, no rollers. There was someone on here pouring olive oil down the rudder shaft to get them going again. Can't hurt (ok, at the current olive oil prices it actually can). Top bearing is probably not the culprit and should be easy to inspect anyways (I don't know the exact details on the 47 Ocean, but on our 40 it was).

Do not order bearings without measuring the shaft, I fell for that and the shaft was exactly 63mm instead of the 64mm on the Jefa plans. 

[martinchambers]

thanks Yngmar for reply. Maybe canola oil cheaper?
And good advice not to buy before measuring. Does the bush shrink again after being back in the water? Thinking, hoping, I can get away with not having to drop rudder.
I'll check out jp3 as well.
thanks again.

[sean c]

I am having the same tightness in steering as you in my 2009 47 Cruiser. Mine comes out of the water only for maintenance and anti-fouling.
I believe my issue is corrosion in the aluminum lower bearing housing causing it to swell against the bearing. There is white powder inside around the lower bearing housing inside the back of the boat, suggesting corrosion.
I believe the last few anti-foul applications used copper based anti-foul on top of the aluminum bearing housing causing the corrosion mechanism. Jefa states that there should be at least 50mm between non aluminum anti-foul coatings and the bearing.
https://www.jefa.dk/ftp/rudder/maintenance/Rudder_blade_anti_fouling_instructions.pdf
Jefa also suggest flushing the bearing with fresh water when the boat comes out of the water to prevent salt water crystalising.
https://jefa.dk/ftp/rudder/maintenance/Manual%20of%20Jefa%20Rudder%20Systems%20products.pdf
Sean

[martinchambers]

Thanks Sean, someone has suggested in tropical water there can be a calcium build up from salt water on the bearing, and this swells as it dries out. I think our first action is going to try hot water down the rudder tube. We have been cautioned about oil. Hot water failing, we will have to drop rudder and inspect for corrosion. There is nothing abnormal outside but a 23yo boat.