'06 rudder vs '03 X-30

[MYMC]

Let me know if you want some help this weekend. While I have never installed a rudder, I would be glad to help in any way I can.

This is an issue with some boats (4 so far that I know of). Andy G had the same issue on his 197. The shaft on the new rudder is .005 larger (give or take) than the rudder port. On some rare instances the port must be updated as well.

[bcampbe7]

Let me know if you want some help this weekend. While I have never installed a rudder, I would be glad to help in any way I can.

[BigBarney]

I might try again in a few days. Like I said, each time the new rudder would slide an inch or two up the sleeve and then a solid stop. I am sure it slid past the o-rings. Very frustrating!

[prostar205]

The '06 rudder fit like a glove in my '02 X30. No drips or leaks at all.

BTW - My '02 X30 has hit 52 mph on a river in ideal conditions. I would attribute that to the L-18 monster sitting under the sunpad.

[TMCNo1]

I had read all those posts - that's why I decided to do it myself. I felt the inside of the sleeve with my finger and there are a couple of grooves (probably for an o ring) and then I can feel the sleeve stepping down. When I push the rudder up, after about an inch, it stops dead in its tracks. Not a 'getting tight' stop, but a definite stop. That's my luck - boat getting out tomorrow for the 1st time, and now all this. Plus I've spent all week cleaning her up, and now the sky is falling down.

Probably caused by the o-rings expanding when the old rudder shaft came out. Be sure to grease up the end of the rudder shaft, the shaft itself and apply some grease to the inside surface of the rudder port from the bottom and from the top prior to trying to insert the rudder shaft and as you inset and feel some resistance turn the rudder from side to side. You will then hit the same resistance when you get to the 2nd o-ring, after you get past the first one. That's what I had to do to put a new rudder in our '89. Good luck! Keep us informed.

[Jerseydave]

barney,

Mine was a drop-in, but a very tight fit at first. Did you use vasaline or grease? My port also has 2 o-rings in it. Feel with your finger, or lay under the boat and look up at the port with a light. You should see 2 o-rings inside.

If the port was stepped, wouldn't the old rudder shaft also be stepped?

If you're still puzzled, get in touch with MYMC. He can help.

[Tom023]

I've hit 48 indicated on the perfect pass with my X30 LTR, but I've always suspected that is overstated. I am going to test with GPS.

[bigmac]

How are you guys getting 50mph out of a 230 with mcx? I am only get about 41 with my 2005 X10 with mcx.

Well, first of all, I'm just barely touching 49, and that's ideal conditions - one person in the boat, light ripple on the water. Gas tank was full though (60 gallons). That's with Perfect Pass, calibrated by GPS. When the boat was new, it would hit 47 with the stock prop (cast OJ 14x17. I switched that prop to an Acme 847 13.5 x 17.5, which got me more hole shot and about an additional 2 mph on the top end. Otherwise the boat is stock. My buddy's 2004 X-10 with that same stock OJ prop will hit a solid 46.

[wtrjock]

How are you guys getting 50mph out of a 230 with mcx? I am only get about 41 with my 2005 X10 with mcx.

[bigmac]

Bigmac- I have the same wobble in my boat since I changed to the 06 rudder at around 43-44mph. Mine is caused by play in the steering cable.

Hmmm...I'll have to give that a look.

[matgyver]

Bigmac- I have the same wobble in my boat since I changed to the 06 rudder at around 43-44mph. Mine is caused by play in the steering cable.

[WakeSeeky]

That is odd. I assumed that ours might be different because we were close to the '06 model rollout, but maybe the rudder port just changes randomly... Sorry BigBarney, I got nothin' in the way of help, but I do agree that you'll find the change is worth it. If MYMC doesn't pick up on this thread, you might try contacting him. He's the one that started all of this.

[bigmac]

Do whatever it takes to get the new rudder on. We have all given rave reviews....

I noted some squirrelliness last night showing up on glass water as my boat was approaching 49 mph - a gentle low frequency, low amplitude, side-to-side wobbling. I didn't feel it in the wheel.

It stops after backing down to 46 mph, and it doesn't really do it if there's any chop. The rudder is tight in the port and there's no play in the cable. Obviously it's not a big deal - 49mph on glass water is an unusual condition for a MasterCraft, but I wonder if anyone else has noticed this...?

[vegashomeexpert]

Do whatever it takes to get the new rudder on. We have all given rave reviews....

[bigmac]

I'm surprised that MasterCraft has apparently used three different rudder ports in four model years since 2003, and even a couple of different ports in one model year (2003). Why BB's rudder/port would be so different than the other '03's reported here is a mystery to me. Then there's WakeSeeky/Driv3r's '05 with the rubber donuts (that apparently wear out early).

I can see different rudder shapes for different hulls/models, but you would think that they would standardize something as simple and apparently trouble-free as a rudder port.