To all of you looking for a Rudder without having to re-drill for a newer size rudder box and additional bolt holes, here is an Original Equipment Manufacturer of rudders for many of the older Supra's (and other makes too). I have a 95' LaBrisa. While on the lake, I hit something I couldn't see and it snapped the rudder off at the hull. Thanks to the BRASS SHAFT of the rudder, it did what it was supposed to do, which is to break without causing hull damage. I called Skiers Choice and was told I had to buy a newer part that required replacing the rudder box which required drilling a larger hole for the new rudder box, and maybe alter the holes for the bolts that hold it. One big issue I had with all of this was the guy told me all of the new rudders had stainless steel shafts. If the shaft of my rudder that broke had been stainless, there is a better than good chance it would have ripped a hole in the hull and the boat would have sunk!! (I will not call the guy at Skier's Choice by name, but he's named in other threads, is a long term employee dating back to the 90's and is very knowledgeable about anything involving Supra) I asked the person at Skier's Choice for the name of the company they bought from or an alternative source, so I could simply replace my rudder and not have the extra work and expense of replacing the rudder box. He told me he didn't know who the old supplier was, that there were several suppliers (and didn't know any of the other suppliers names either), and implied they might be out of business. He told me all he could do is give me a name of a dealer in my area and the part #'s I needed so I could purchase the parts. I didn't believe the guy and felt all he was interested in was forcing the sale of a part(s) that they would get when purchased through one of their dealers.
I believe Skier's Choice has a responsibility to support their dealer's by referring appropriate inquires to them. HOWEVER, I think it is a POOR business practice to mislead customers by withholding information and thus force them to pay more, and in this case considerably more when a correct replacement part is currently made and available. According to this guy at Skier's Choice, I had to buy a new rudder PLUS, purchase a new part that requires modifications to the structure of the boat.
After much research, many phone calls and some nice people willing to talk, I found one of company's Supra used to buy from. I called them, told them what I wanted, and purchased a replacement brass shaft rudder without the added expense and work of a new rudder box. My loyalty to Supra has diminished considerably along with the respect I had for the guy at Skier's Choice. This same guy had helped me in the past with another issue but it didn't involve my having to buy anything.
Here is the company and contact info. I'm doing the work myself so if anyone has questions about the install process, let me know and I'll help anyway I can.
Southeastern Foundries
2706 Oakland Avenue
Greensboro, NC,
27403-1939
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 336 299 7211