One reason many manufacturers are changing over to the TYPE-D system is the significant labor savings associated with this approach. To accommodate the various conventional types of rudder ports currently available, builders have to perform a number of post lay-up operations on every hull being produced. These include: building up/leveling mounting blocks, locating the correct position and axis for the stock hole, aligning and drilling pilot and thru-holes, checking and adjusting for any misalignment which may have occurred along the way and finally, locating and drilling the mounting holes for the port unit. These operations require special jigs and fixtures, several skilled workers, numerous tools and significant man hours.

    The Tides Marine TYPE-D Rudder Port System incorporates a unique FRP rudder port liner into each hull lay-up which accepts a matching rudder bearing and seal assembly. The placement and angle of each liner is predetermined by a one-time mold modification (made at no cost to the builder). From that point on, every hull made from this mold will have an identical, perfectly aligned mount for the rudder bearing/seal assembly. Post-lay-up operations once requiring hours of skilled labor are eliminated.

 

Component Overview

    The Tides Marine TYPE-D system components consist of a liner, a re-useable alignment plug and fastener assembly and the TYPE-D bearing/seal.

    Molded from FRP and compatible with polyester-, vinylester- and epoxy-based systems, each TYPE-D liner has an internal thread to accept its corresponding rudder bearing/seal.

    The plug and fastener assembly consists of a machined UHMW body with either a threaded rod or bolt (depending on the application) for attaching it to the hull mold.

    The TYPE-D Rudder bearing/seal assembly consists of a single-piece UHMW housing with a nitrile lip seal. The polyethelene bearing eliminates the problems of metal-on-metal abrasion, electrolysis and corrosion. They are 100% watertight and maintenance free. They compare similarly in performance to the other STRONG® Rudder Ports in that they are quiet, smooth and vibration free.

 

Installation Types

    The procedure for modifying the mold and installing the liner pre-layup differs according to the type of hull being produced. The following are the three most common variations. Click the name or drawing for the Product Installation.

	TYPE ONE- Molds with an existing "flat" at the rudder port location which will use the standard flange type liner.
	TYPE TWO- Molds which require modification to achieve a "flat" surface or pocket for mounting a standard flange type liner.
	TYPE THREE- Molds which require modification to accept an angled liner to match deadrise and rocker angles.

Multi-Axis Upper Rudder Bearings:
Upper Rudder Bearing-STD (standard), Upper Rudder Bearing-LP (low profile)

Upper Rudder Bearing Bar
Bearing Bar

Accessories and Spares:
Mounting Bar, Spare Seal, Rudder Collar

Sealed and Un-sealed Solid Bushings and Rudder Ports:
 A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | J | K

Rudder Seal only:
Seal I