Ask the Experts

Dear Editors: In an engine room I saw recently, a few potential problem areas in the design of the steering gear for the rudder caught my eye.

First, the connection from the hydraulic cylinder shaft to the rudder arm was in single shear. This can cause a torque effect each time the rudder is steered that might bend or break the bolt. I do understand that if the bolt is sufficiently sized and the connection is very tight, there might not be a problem. The arm looked very stout, but still, I thought these important connections should always be in double shear.

Second, the hydraulic cylinder looked to be mounted solid at the cylinder end. I hope not. When the rudder is steered 20 degrees from straight ahead, the end of