C&C 38 Rudder - Wet

[Stephen1150]

Hey there. I have a 1982 C&C 38 Landfall. When I bought the boat LY the survey indicated moisture in the rudder (which is rather common I was told). Anyway the former owner vacuum pulled the rudder and then added two quarts of epoxy. I hauled the boat earlier this week after being in the water for the last year and there is some wetness seaping out of the bottom. Any suggestions out there would be appreciated.
Thanks
S

 

[Sailfanatic]

If you are not getting rust from around the rudder stock and there is no evidence of delamination, than I would ignore the condition. Each Fall drill a drain hole in the bottom to aid water draining, then fill the hole in the spring.

 

[Stephen1150]

Thanks

 

[dmax]

I would try to get all the water out by drilling holes in the top/bottom and using a vacuum. Water in there is only going to cause damage and make your boat sit lower in the water - if it freezes, it can expand and split your rudder. Once it's dry, try to figure out how water is getting in: rain water entering from the top of the rudder stock, leaking at the point where the stock enters the fiberglass or a crack in the fiberglass. You can spray foam into the top of the rudder stock, bevel out the joint where the stock enters the fiberglass and apply a bead of 3M 5200 and fix any cracks in the fiberglass to address these issues. After your hull, the rudder is the next most important piece of equipment to keep you out of danger.

 

[Stephen1150]

Thank you for the detailed answer. Super helpful.