Rudder Repair - looking for hints, tips, gotcha's, etc.

[RonRelyea]

I had the divers over last week to clean my bottom. They discovered that the bottom 12 inches (or thereabouts) is broken off my rudder.
So the questions start coming ....

I imagine I'm going to have to let the rudder dry out before doing any repairs. I am currently in Florida ... would 3 to 4 months on the hard be enough to dry it out?

I will probably get hauled and store the boat at Green Cove Springs Marina. Has anyone had any experience with repair workmen who could do the repair? Is this the type of repair that most yards could handle comfortably?

I was told the break is at the point where the internal metal supporting structure ends. Can foam core just be laminated back on, or should there be additional structural support added at the break line?

Are there any other considerations that I should be thinking about?

Does anyone know the dimensions of the intact rudder for a 1990 Hunter Vision 32? I imagine that would help the repairman.

Many thanks!

 

[Gunni]

You won't know until you haul and have the situation inspected. However a break below the grid is a tough repair. I would contact Foss Foam and get price and availability for a new foil. They are in Florida.

Another option is Phil's Foils - I have seen his work and it is very good.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Talk with Bob Walker as they made your rudder years ago at Foss Foam. The best person to ask is Bob. Thank you Gunni for that referral for both but best go to the person who actually made the rudder to see if it is repairable.

 

[RonRelyea]

You won't know until you haul and have the situation inspected. However a break below the grid is a tough repair. I would contact Foss Foam and get price and availability for a new foil. They are in Florida.

Another option is Phil's Foils - I have seen his work and it is very good.

Gunni .... thanks for the tip. Considering that Foss Foams is the original manufacturer of my rudder, and that I am about 80 miles from their facility, this just may work !!!!

Talk with Bob Walker as they made your rudder years ago at Foss Foam. The best person to ask is Bob. Thank you Gunni for that referral for both but best go to the person who actually made the rudder to see if it is repairable.

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Crazy Dave .. that's exactly what I have done! I've traded a couple of eMails with Bob already .... thanks for your input!