Bottom coat for rudder

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M

Michael

I've heard that Hunter recommends the colour of antifouling paint for rudder should be white only, even though the colour of the hull bottom paint is different, e.g. blue. If it is truth, what is behind this? Thanks, Michael.
 
D

Don

Theory is

While out of the water, solar heating on a dark colored rudder can cause the rudder to delaminate and/or crack, a possibility precluded with the use of white paint to minimize heating. I'm not sure how likley this is to happen but I also don't want to find out so I, for one, follow that precaution. I also know many folks who don't and have not had a problem (yet) so I guess it's a matter of choice. Don
 
J

John

Rudder color

The manufacturer of Foss foam rudders does recommend a light color for the rudder. Heat build up due to darker colors seems to cause problems. The following is quoted from their web site: >>>We do not recommend the use of dark color bottom paint for your rudder, as they generate heat whenever your boat is out of the water and in the sun. Since your rudder is made of cellular material this heat can cause dimensional changes and cosmetic damage. If the rudder is painted a dark color it should be shielded from the sun with a white wrapping whenever the boat is out of the water. YOUR RUDDER WARRANTY EXCLUDES DAMAGE CAUSED BY HEAT.>>>
 
Dec 3, 2003
544
None None Rochester, NY
White sheet

I have noticed several boats stored for the winter have a white sheet or huge pillow case over the rudder to keep the sun (all 2 days of it in Rochester) off the rudder.
 
A

Alice C.

shrink wrap

We use VC17 on our rudder as well as on the bottom of our 37.5. When the boat is out of the water, we wrap the rudder with scrap shrink wrap. So far that has worked. Alice C.
 
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