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Bob Plante
81 GCAT 5.0
Rocky Point, MX
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GCAT 5.0 Tiller Assembly Replacement
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Posted: Aug 15, 2017 - 07:35 AM
Just bought an 81 GCAT 5.0 but she needs a little TLC....my first boat. Hulls are currently undergoing repair/repaint, new tramps on order, and all new rigging, but the tiller assembly is a little rough (rudder kick-up system is in good shape with the exception of some delaminating of the rudders). Kind of hard finding parts. Would another tiller system work, e.g., off a Hobie?
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Bob Plante
81 GCAT 5.0
Rocky Point, MX
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Posted: Aug 15, 2017 - 08:11 AM
Tiller is just the arm of the assembly
you can make anything work with enough time but trying to put another (i.e hobie) "tiller" onto the casting of a different system is gonna be pretty tough
if you can post some images if the problem area of your "tiller"/rudders we can probably point you towards a easier solution
what exactly is wrong? if it truly is the "tiller" - it's just an alum extrusion (tube) that can certainly be replaced -
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Posted: Aug 15, 2017 - 02:45 PM
NICE first boat!
Parts may not be thick on the ground, but if you've got intact rudder heads and gudgeons, then fixing the delaminated rudders (rebuild the composite) and replacing the tiller arms (tube bending?)
Anything is possible -- you're just lining up pivots, and that should be pretty easy to swap with some simple bushings (and the critical clearances are within the capability of drill bits)... that said, it is probably easiest to repair what you have... you won't have to worry about rudder rake, toe, or other alignment.
Agreed... and I love the response and advice of this forum.
Randii
Edited by randii on Aug 15, 2017 - 12:45 PM. -
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Posted: Aug 15, 2017 - 09:07 PM
Check the hull-to-deck joint before dropping too much money into a G-Cat. Great boats, but SOME have a real hull-to-deck joint problem in that it just comes apart. The epoxy gets old and brittle. Speaking from personal experience after buying new tramps, sails, etc. I was later able to pry the entire deck off my replacement hull with a simple hacksaw blade. Why was it a replacement hull, because the other one, and another one had the same issue. It's been posted online as well. I had a 5.7 G-Cat and loved that boat though, until I tried to fix it and realized the whole thing was coming apart...
Edited by traphappy on Aug 15, 2017 - 10:13 PM. -
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Posted: Aug 15, 2017 - 11:28 PM
My first post and already great feedback; thank you! Still learning terminology. So when I say tiller, I do mean the entire tubing assembly that moves the rudders. The boat is old so I just want to ensure it is safe and reliable for just cruising around. I have several pics I will post as soon as I figure out how
But based on traphappy's comment, I'm a little concerned. I do have one pic that shows what I believe to be the hull-to-deck joint. Got a guy refinishing the hulls and they generally look ok. Faded but no soft spots....I'll double check the joint when I head back down to Mexico this weekend.
Pics to follow...I hope.
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Bob Plante
81 GCAT 5.0
Rocky Point, MX
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Posted: Aug 16, 2017 - 12:05 AM
Deck-to-hull joint
Edited by rockypointbob on Aug 16, 2017 - 05:47 AM. -
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Posted: Aug 16, 2017 - 12:12 AM
Pivot Arm and rudder blade
Edited by rockypointbob on Aug 16, 2017 - 05:59 AM. -
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Posted: Aug 16, 2017 - 12:53 AM
Don't worry too much... Lot's of these fine boats are still around. If you do find separation at the hull-to-deck joint, my advice would be to Dremel into the crack/separation as deep as you can, then fill it in with West System 610. Most of the time the cracking is just next to the beams. Worst case scenario, you could one day Dremel out the joint along the entire length of the boat, and stuff the gap with WS 610. I would not pop off the deck with the idea to re-epoxy the entire thing. I did that, and the only thing that saved me from a hopeless project was some kids that came by and vandalized the boat. Then my insurance kicked in....
I was unable to view the pics, maybe because I am on a Mac. -
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Posted: Aug 16, 2017 - 08:06 AM
Ok, good deal. I will inspect that deck joint this weekend.
I did attempt to post links to several pictures but I'm also having issues with opening the urls. Pics are in the "Beachcats Technical" album "Gcat 5.0 Refurb". As you will see, the tiller arms and crossbar where the tiller attaches look pretty bad. Rather than messing with having new tubes fabricated, I was wondering if the whole system could be replaced with a used system from a hobie being parted out. -
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Posted: Aug 16, 2017 - 10:15 AM
Yes, this boat is in "well tested" condition
but may have some fun left in it - depends on the quality of the repairs and ability to replace some items (most of the tubing can simply be replaced, the tiller lock down clasp may be harder item to find)
Edited by MN3 on Aug 16, 2017 - 10:16 AM. -
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Posted: Aug 16, 2017 - 02:58 PM
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Edited by traphappy on Aug 16, 2017 - 04:01 PM.
