2014 Supra Launch 242 "rudder rattle"

[Mr717]

Just bought this boat about 2-3 weeks ago. It had 28 hours on it when I test drove it. When loading the boat there was a noticeable rattle in the steering wheel. Only when loading it on the trailer. Sales guy said it was feedback from the rudder. I ain't ever had an inboard boat so, OK I guess. Lol. Anyways. Took the boat out 3 times, first time no issues whatsoever. 2nd time I was idling thru some stumpy area to get to nice spot and kinda hit a stump/ Tree. Barely. Really wasn't bad at all. Immediately after, when I would accelerate, it started that rattle in the steering. Thus last time when I took the kids out wake surfing, it's worse with a load. Only does it on initial acceleration. Nothing at speed. Idles smooth no strange vibration at idle or at any speed. Other than initial take off. Checked rudder and it has some slight play front to back and side to side. Otherwise, visually it looks fine. What's considered acceptable slop and is there any adjustments that can be made? Also seems like it may be leaking water slightly.
Thanks in advance fellas.

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[Mischief IV]

I bet it’s your prop, not the rudder.

Have a local shop close by? Would take it in and let them check the balance.

How are the edges of the prop? Notice any bends or rough edges?

Had similar issues, quick swap of prop and it was taken care of.

[Mr717]

The prop actually looks pristine. No indications at all of contact with anything.

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[michael hunter]

You bent one of the blades on the prop . Take it off and have it checked.

[Mr717]

OK. I can do that. But just out of curiosity, wouldn't it have a consistent vibration and typically be noticeable at speed. So the rudder slop has nothing to do with the rattle? Thats what's odd, the boat is still just a smooth as the first time out. Only get the rattle in the steering wheel on initial take off.

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[Mischief IV]

How bad is the rudder slop?? We talking lots of movement or just a slight wobble?

Previous owner could have hit something in the water but with only 28 hours, more likely he hit himself in the head for not using it more.

Bad blade as Mike said or out of balance is still my prediction.

[Mr717]

I'd say the side to side is about a 1/4-3/8" at the the bottom of the rudder. That's if grabbing it from the bottom and pushing. Same slop on front to back. I was guessing with the force of all that water from the prop, any slop could create that rattle until stable flow across the rudder is established. I'm going to pull the prop and have it checked, but I'm really stuck on the rudder play.

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[Mischief IV]

Mine was same as you describe. Violent wheel shake to start out of the hole, especially under load when surfing, smooths out and then you’d never know there was a problem with the prop. Had two slightly bent blades after a close encounter with a rock.
Swapped it over to different prop and no issues since.

Also, now might be the time to make sure you have the correct prop on your boat especially if you wake surf a lot. Mine was already upgraded to one suited for surfing which is the Acme 1235 14.5” X 14.25”

[Mr717]

10 4. I'll pull it and have it sent in and checked. Assuming mine is stock. Was wanting to use it this weekend. This might shut that down. It's always something.
Thanks

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[Mischief IV]

I used mine for over a month with bad prop before swapping. Just annoying is all.

Takes five min to pull a prop if you have a puller.

[Mr717]

10 4 . I'll make sure and give an update on this. Thanks again. I was getting ready to rebuild the rudder assembly. Lol.

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[Mr717]

Update. Pulled my rudder, cause I got to looking at it and didn't look straight. Damn shaft was bent at the base. The shaft end was bent back about 3/4 of inch. Was able to press it back straight and polished it up. Didnt appear to be a drop of grease in the cylinder. Orings looked good. The prop had previously looked spotless. Not a blemish or Nick on it. But I fixed that (lol). Last time i took the boat out (before removing the rudder yesterday) I know for a fact I hit something submerged cause some chunks of wood came up behind the boat. Now the prop has a slight ding on one blade (4 blade prop). The rattle is about the same with no change from before to after. But I did notice the engine seemed to have a tendency to now be able to overdrive the prop (pulling more rpm with slightly less top end mph). Planning on pulling prop anyways to eliminate any more issues. The steering rattle is fricking annoying. Everyone at the place I bought the boat from says all the I boards do that. But i know I never noticed it (whether loaded or unloaded) until I hit a stump shortly after getting the boat.

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