Hull #1437 1995 mmk2
While applying bottom paint I discovered a 5 inch small crack running back along the top center of the rudder from the rudder shaft.
My plan is to use the boat this summer , then work on the problem in the fall after haul out for the winter. Close inspection did not reveal any other cracks or delamination.
Two years ago I ran a moisture meter over the rudder and it appeared dry.
I plan to drop the rudder in the fall, V grove the crack and fil the crack with reisin. I also plan to install a gar plug in the bottom of the rudder to drain it each winter. Our winters are pretty rough with lots of snow and sub zero temperatures.
Any suggestions??
Wilf
Rudder crack
Sat, 04/25/2009 - 18:18
#1
Rudder crack
Wilf:
I had this happen on our first boat which was a Catalina 30. I will tell you what I learned over the course of a few years hoping to save you some trouble. The first time I seen a crack in the rudder I took and drilled quite a few holes jujst into the foam core and used a vac to suck out what water had gotten into it.
Thinking I had it all removed and felt good about it I then took and filled all the holes back in with thickened epoxy, sanded it all down and then applied bottom paint. I got about 2 years out of that as I am in Michigan, the winters here are ruff as well. The crack came back but in a different place.
So the 2nd time around, I removed the rudder and took it home and stuck in our basement. I then took and cut sections out of it to speed up the drying process which helped so much having a bigger area removed in order for the water to evaporate better.
Then I took and ground around the rudder post and epoxied that so no water could enter the rudder. This then cured all the troubles and the trouble never came back. Rudder are not made to get water into. You need to fix that or even with what you want to do will give you trouble down the road.
If you take it off and fix it right, you will not have no more troubles.
Randy
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
Randy and Pat
Thanks for this.
A glass guy in our yard suggested the gar plug which should do the same as a lot of holes. Yes I'll drop it next fall and bring it home in the garage with the model T and work on it there. It has been suggested that instead of using epoxy around the rudder post, to use something a little flexible like 4200 . Resin doesn't really bond well to metal and poly resin and epoxy don't grab that well.
Regards Wilf
When you are ready to drop the rudder I would suggest bringing a shovel and doing it before the ground freezes.
Also, you can speed the drying process by putting the rudder in a sealed bag with lots of dessicant. Storing it in a warm spot is better than a cool one.
Dave
Dave
Ballena 1995 Mk II #1445