Rudder Wing Nut - newbie!

Just got a Capri 14.2 Mod I this month from Savannah, Georgia & had a great maiden voyage at Lake Lanier last Saturday afternoon.

Wonderful time sailing it and found that 1 man can manage the jib and mainsheets if you are quick on your feet.

Well - towards the end of my little jaunt - I noticed that I somehow lost the rudder wing nut (rudder kicked up 45 degrees). Fortunately - the bolt stayed in place, and I babied the ship back with a rudder slightly higher than it was early in the trip.

Any ideas on finding a replacement wing nut? I'm tempted to just get a stainless nut, requiring that use a wrench - but would like OEM (original equipment) if possible.

Thanks again for the forum & all of the contributors ... after spending some time on the Capri 14.2 forum - I was pretty confident because of all the great advice from 'old salts.' The internet is truly an amazing thing!

John Andrew
Atlanta, GA
2077

John-

I'm also a new capri owner (mod 2), have sailed my boat only once so far! I had the opposite problem with my rudder wing nut-could NOT loosen it on my way in to the beach. Anyway, I have called Catalina directly 818 884 7700 (ask for parts) with several questions and have gotten great service. They can probably get you the missing part. My local dealer (www.avonsailboats.com) has also been very helpful. Good luck!

Sam T

Definitely Catalina Direct for all your parts.

Thanks

Gents -

Thanks for the Catalina contact info. I will follow up with them to get the OEM part.

As a temporary solution, I went to the hardware store and got some stainless steel 3/8" small wingnuts and locking washers (found that these will also work with the mast pin).

This worked OK last weekend - but it is more difficult to finely tune or adjust the tension because of the smaller 'wing' on the nut.

My guess is that the key with either solution is to have a locking washer in place. (this did not come with the Capri when I got it.)

Thanks again & safe sailing,

John Andrew
Atlanta, GA
2077

sam t said:

I had the opposite problem with my rudder wing nut-could NOT loosen it on my way in to the beach.

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I have the same issue with the wing nut on my rudder. Any tips on what you did to end up getting it loosened?

There is a pin that goes through the head of the machine screw into the wing nut to keep you from turning anything. I tried for weeks to loosen the rudder wing nut and wound up cutting the head into a square with a dremel to put a wrench on it. That is when I discovered the lock pin. Drive it out first before trying to un-stick the wing nut.

Actually, did not try and loosen it again. Got out of the boat in shallow H20, removed rudder, put boat on trailer and into storage for season. Bought the boat in late August and only sailed once! Will have to check next time I see the boat for the pin noted, but is there a difference in the Mod 1 and Mod 2 wingnut??