Jefa Rudder Bearing Housing Corrosion on Bavaria Cruiser 36 – Advice Needed

[Trivia]

Hi everyone,

I own a 2013 Bavaria Cruiser 36 equipped with a Jefa steering system. I have found that the housing where the rudder bearing — model M13-230B 084 — is fitted is heavily corroded, as shown in the photos, and it appears that it needs to be replaced.

There is also a small abrasion on the rudder stock in the section that comes into contact with the bearing rollers.

I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed. Is this bearing housing supplied separately by Jefa? Is it bonded/glassed directly into the hull structure, or can it be removed more easily? What would be the recommended procedure for removing the damaged housing and installing a new one?

Regarding the rudder stock, I would also like to know what the recommended repair procedure would be for this kind of abrasion.

Any guidance, previous experience, photos, or technical information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Mirror45184]

Hi Trivia,

The marking on the rudder post is only minor pitting.
The housing is aluminium and therefore reacts with copper anti foul paint. The lower bearing should be treated similar to the saildrive leg and have a non copper anti foul paint around it. I believe that the bearing and housing come as a unit from Jeffa. In any case it is best to replace them together. The lower bearing housing is glassed into the hull so it is a major job to replace.

[Diverphil1]

https://www.youtube.com/@mrjweate  this link should take you to a guy who has a pretty good explanation of how it all goes together

[sean c]

I replaced the lower rudder bearing and housing on my 47 Cruiser 2009 last December. I had a lot of trouble identifying the bearing size as the Jefa drawing for my model did not list it.
Yours appears to be on their site though.

https://jefa.com/ftp/old_boat_spare_parts/Bavaria/Bavaria36_A36_2010-2013/Bavaria%20NC36%20type%20A36%20rudder.pdf

They sell the complete housing, ball and nut kit.

https://jefa.com/ftp/old_boat_spare_parts/Bavaria/Bavaria36_A36_2010-2013/5BT084-129.PDF

Have a look around the Jefa site. It is badly laid out and difficult to navigate. They recommend not putting copper based anti-foul within 50mm of the bearing housing. They also recommend ball bearings be removed every 3 years and thoroughly cleaned. Not sure this is practical if you have to destroy it to get it out.
The original bearing housing I removed had a stamped JP3L/SW.I ended up getting a JP3 non roller bearing. They sell a blank and I got the hole machined out to their spec after I had the rudder out.
The SW on the housing I was told stands for SeaWay who made the bearings on license to JP3 from Slovenia. They had some issues with deviating from the standard design.
When I got the new bearing housing it was 40mm shorter than the one I removed. The JP3 agent advised this was the correct spec and I need to modify my boat to fit the bearing. It all ended up OK with a good fiberglass technician modifying the hull.
When I walk around boats on the hard stand they are almost 100% anti-foul on the bearing housing same colour as the hull. I don't believe many people follow the manufacturers recommendations.
Sean