How to loosen emergency tiller cap on Bavaria 38 Ocean

[h0se0ne]

Hey Folks,

I recently purchased a Bavaria 38 Ocean.
The other day was investigating leaks in the aft behind the master cabin and it appears there are small drips of rain water coming down the rudder shaft. To investigate further I wanted to take of the emergency tiller cap (photo) but was not able to move or lift it. Some duck tape fixed the leaking for now.

What would be the correct way of removing it? Turning it anti clockwise?
Any ideas on how to get it off?


Thanks in advance!

[Happysailor]

I think it is just counter clock wise. You could use an oil filter spanner to get Some support. Fit rubber inbetween not to damage it and gently apply force.. always worth once loose to put winch grease on the thread and only handtighten it... sealing needs to seal but obviously that started to leak so perhaps the previous owner "solved" this by further tightening?

Any other ideas?

[h0se0ne]

Thanks a lot, will try that out!
Well there is a ca. 1 cm gap between the cap and the deck fitting where water can get in, I am wondering now if that is supposed to be tight / not have a gap?

[Happysailor]

Looking on the internet, I am finding similar covers on Bavaria Oceans..perhaps other Owners of Oceans can help you out. On my current and previous Bavaria the access to the rudderstock for the emergency tiller was a cover which you opened with a winch handle...

[h0se0ne]

I've tried my best on finding more information on it which in the end led me here Let's see if someone with a B38 Ocean can help me out. Thanks man!

[Happysailor]

Did you also see the special Facebook group of Ocean owners? I don't know how active it is, perhaps take a look as well?

[h0se0ne]

Will have a look there as well, thank you!

[Yngmar]

Yup, normal thread, so undo anti-clockwise. Use a Boa Constrictor to help. There should not be a gap, it should be screwed in all the way, but there can be a situation where the rudder post top prevents it from being screwed down all the way.

[Diverphil1]

unscrews anticlockwise, you can gently tap all around the bottom where it is threaded inside to free off corrosion, just not too hard to dent the thread, we have similar problems on alloy trailer hub caps that are threaded to steel axles.

[h0se0ne]

Amazing, thank you guys. Only found hard metal tools in the store yesterday, just ordered one of those Boa constrictors as the rubber seems like the right thing to use. Will see if that helps and report back.

Cheers