When we remove the rudder from our 1981 C&C 30 for drying out and glass repair, it became obvious that the rudder post was bent at the point it enters the rudder. I assume this is the result of a hard grounding which occured sometime before we owned her. My question is does, anyone have any tips on how to straighten the post with out destroying the rudder in the process.
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Corrosion Concern
If the interface between the rudder and the rudder shaft is examined there will no doubt be some corrosion there, maybe even some pits in the steel. The concern I have is the design of the rudder post is such that it is the minimum size for the forces it will encounter. If this is true then once it is bent the metal has passed the elastic limit (maximum stress a metal will withstand before permanent deformation occurs) and, additionally, the corrosion at this very same interface will cause weakining of the shaft. So there two things: (1) possible corrosion, maybe going 1/16-inch or more into the metal, and, (2) the metal stock having passed the elastic limit. Don't think of the rudder post has "just being bent", think of it as having already failed. Bending it back may cause it to be straight but will only worsen the situation. Given that the rudder and steering system on boats is natoriously a weak point when things get bad, my suggestion would be replace it. Granted it will be expensive but, as they say in flying, "trouble comes in bunches". You don't want rudder failure at the worst possible time.
If the interface between the rudder and the rudder shaft is examined there will no doubt be some corrosion there, maybe even some pits in the steel. The concern I have is the design of the rudder post is such that it is the minimum size for the forces it will encounter. If this is true then once it is bent the metal has passed the elastic limit (maximum stress a metal will withstand before permanent deformation occurs) and, additionally, the corrosion at this very same interface will cause weakining of the shaft. So there two things: (1) possible corrosion, maybe going 1/16-inch or more into the metal, and, (2) the metal stock having passed the elastic limit. Don't think of the rudder post has "just being bent", think of it as having already failed. Bending it back may cause it to be straight but will only worsen the situation. Given that the rudder and steering system on boats is natoriously a weak point when things get bad, my suggestion would be replace it. Granted it will be expensive but, as they say in flying, "trouble comes in bunches". You don't want rudder failure at the worst possible time.
Thanks for your thoughts
John, Thanks for your thoughts about corrosion and metal fatigue on our rudder post. At this point I am just starting to collect information. Since we are in winter storage until May I have some time to work on this. The metal fatigue issue is one that concerns me and I will look into it.
John, Thanks for your thoughts about corrosion and metal fatigue on our rudder post. At this point I am just starting to collect information. Since we are in winter storage until May I have some time to work on this. The metal fatigue issue is one that concerns me and I will look into it.
straighten it and make it a spair
Get a new one,use the old one as a spair,if fixing it dose not make crack at bent point show!
Get a new one,use the old one as a spair,if fixing it dose not make crack at bent point show!
I recently had a 1985 Catalina 27 totaled due to Hurricane Isabel (I now own a 1986 Hunter 28.5). Part of the reason for the insurance company totaling the Catalina was that it, too, had a bent rudder post. The repair shop told me that they could try to rebend the shaft, but didn't recommend it as it would always be a weak spot and I would always wonder about its health. They suggested replacing it. I agreed, but then the boat was totaled anyway. I suggest you contact you insurance company and discuss this repair with them. Since you don't really know when the rudder was damaged, or under who's watch it occurred, this may be a covered repair for you.
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