[quote=Wolfman]Yeah, provided the boat has always been aligned prior to now, and the straps are rivetted to the beams (i.e. no center bar)that is almost always caused by one rudder not pulling down all the way. Rudder misalignment could also cause that but if your rudders have always been fine before and you are using a non-adjustable cross bar, that is unlikely unless you bent something along the way.
Number of causes for the rudder pull down problem. The simplest is that one of the rudder bolts is too tight causing the rudder to bind in the casting (need a nylock nut so you don't have to torque the bolt to the point of binding). Similarly there could be something in the casting itself causing it to bind, worn bushing, grit, flake from the casting, deformation of the rudder itself. All are pretty easy fixes, you can make a temporary bushing from a milk jug. Or you could just not be pulling one down all the way (I rigged a 2:1 purchase on my pull downs to prevent that).
First thing to check is the rudder pull down and alignment on dry land - those are the easiest to check. Then the rigging and lasly the boat alignment. If the boat itself is badly misaligned it should be pretty obvious quickly but it is hard to tell weather it is slightly misaligned or completely straight. Better to cross the other simpler problems off the list before you get into microadjusting the hull alignment.
Also, probably a stupid thing to say, but don't try and adjust the hull alignment with the mast up. :) Don't laugh I'm pretty sure some have tried it in the heat of the moment.
Dave<!-- editby --><em>Edited by Wolfman on Apr 23, 2011 - 12:30 PM.</em><!-- end editby --> [/quote]
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