Rudder repair

Aug 27, 2025
10
ODay 23 Roque Bluffs
I just purchased an OD 23. The previous owner hit a rock with the rudder. This is a picture of his repair. My inclination is to take this apart and replace the galvy strap with something stainless steel and finish off the epoxy that he jammed in underneath the bent pentil. Maybe just a couple of large flat washers underneath the screws, and remove the strap?Recommendations? Can the pen be bent back into place or will that compromise it?
Thanks for your expertise in advance.
 

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dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,560
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Hard to give much advice based on the picture. First observation is the pintal appears to be upside down. I would remove all the current hardware and assess the underlying "fix".

dj
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,687
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Bending the pintle back could work harden the SS. A new pintal should be available and not that expensive.
you can fill holes with thickened epoxy.
:plus:

Yeah... I just found several gudgeons and pintles for under $40. I would strip the hardware and existing paint... fill the holes... then a few coats of barrier coat followed by a hard enamel paint and then some bottom paint... then put the (new) hardware back on.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,546
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Agree with @shemandr. Replace the pintle.
Remove the galvanized strap, as it is rusting. You likely have internal damage beneath the pintle strap. This should be inspected and repaired. Resurface the rudder and then reattach the pintle strap.
 
Aug 27, 2025
10
ODay 23 Roque Bluffs
Thanks so much for all of the help. After taking the pintleoff, I discovered that a chunk of the rudder had broken off where the first screw attaches the strap to the blade. The previous owner used some sort of flexible sealant adhesive to try to put the chunk back. This must’ve been the reason for the strap. I’m going to remove the pintle and get a new one. I’ll grind out all of the glued and debris and fill with a slurry of epoxy and glass chop, shape and smooth.
 
Sep 24, 2018
3,659
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
Look up D and R marine. They'll have the original part. Prices are either cheaper than everywhere else (such as rigging) or slightly more. By the time you go through the hassle of trying to figure out who made the original part, you'll realize your better off paying D&R's slighly higher price to guarantee you got the right part. Plus, a call with Rudy will often result in info you can't get anywhere else or a good story
 
Aug 27, 2025
10
ODay 23 Roque Bluffs
thanks so much. I’m very familiar with DNR Marine. I’ve owned a mariner for 15 years. Only broke the mast once LOL and Rudy was there to help us out. I WILL SAY YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THOSE ORIGINAL MASS THAT WERE STUFFED WITH STYROFOAM. OURS HAD CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE.