Damaged C30 Rudder (not pretty)
- Thread starter AXEL
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Still- you could repair it and keep it for a spare. You wouldn't lose a week waiting on an order if you break another one. -Paul
Kudos to BoatUS. In less than 1 week I've already gotten approval for parts & labor, All done via email with just photos. The cost of repair, $4200.00 less $600 deductable. Foss Foam fab'ed a new rudder in less than a week. Thanks to a couple of guys from this forum who recommended them to me. I could be back in the water by the end of next week. I'm happy!
practice your fiberglassing skills on the old one for spares... never know where ye might be when th thi8ng breaks next time----spade rudders like backups....
this seems to be rudder rash year--of breaking rudders--we should have a "how did you break your rudder" thread....
this seems to be rudder rash year--of breaking rudders--we should have a "how did you break your rudder" thread....
I'm curious
I can't tell from the photo's but it looks like the rudder post goes no farther down than the break. Is the post actually that short, or am I just not seeing clearly. I suspect that maybe I just don't see it, as if the post went no farther down that the break, you would have lost the entire bottom. Mine went to within about six inches of the bottom of the rudder, and when I installed the new post, I added another two inches below that. I cannot imagine a post not being carried farther down into the rudder than what yours appears to be.
I can't tell from the photo's but it looks like the rudder post goes no farther down than the break. Is the post actually that short, or am I just not seeing clearly. I suspect that maybe I just don't see it, as if the post went no farther down that the break, you would have lost the entire bottom. Mine went to within about six inches of the bottom of the rudder, and when I installed the new post, I added another two inches below that. I cannot imagine a post not being carried farther down into the rudder than what yours appears to be.
You would think the rudder post would be longer wouldn't you? I could not tell either. I had thought about repair but was advised by friends and the boatyard that if the insurance would pay then go with a new one. If I was short on funds I could have done the work myself and repaired. I truly hope this is a once in a life time event. I WILL be very cautious the next time I run aground and try and back up.
Stick a screwdriver in the crack
Poke around in the crack with a screwdriver and see if the post goes below the break. I just can't imagine the post being that short. If it is, I am not surprised that it broke. On mine, the post went almost to the bottom of the rudder, and I extended it a couple of inches when I put in a new post.an While the post was bent just a little bit, there were no signs of a crack like you had. Mine is going to cost, not counting labor which is free, about 1/3 of what Foss quoted for a replacement, and I believe that when done, mine will be stronger than the origional, or a Foss replacement.
Poke around in the crack with a screwdriver and see if the post goes below the break. I just can't imagine the post being that short. If it is, I am not surprised that it broke. On mine, the post went almost to the bottom of the rudder, and I extended it a couple of inches when I put in a new post.an While the post was bent just a little bit, there were no signs of a crack like you had. Mine is going to cost, not counting labor which is free, about 1/3 of what Foss quoted for a replacement, and I believe that when done, mine will be stronger than the origional, or a Foss replacement.
Re: Stick a screwdriver in the crack
I was astonished at the break. There doesn't seem to be very much heavy glass cloth in that assembly. The break pattern is apparent, from aft forward. It should have bent the rudder post at the hull or torn the bottom corner off. That rudder broke like a piece of particle board. Such a critical part should not break so easily.
I was astonished at the break. There doesn't seem to be very much heavy glass cloth in that assembly. The break pattern is apparent, from aft forward. It should have bent the rudder post at the hull or torn the bottom corner off. That rudder broke like a piece of particle board. Such a critical part should not break so easily.
The Foss Foam replacement rudder cost is $1400, which in not too bad. Catalina Direct wanted close to $2000 with a 4 - 6 week lead time. I'm actually happy the rudder snapped where it did. The shaft from the break up is still straight. I'm thinking if the rudder had not given in, the damaged might have been worse to the hull itself. I did sustain some buckling to the bulkhead where the steering cable mounts to a bracket/quadrant. There was a lot of energy transfer during this event. As far as DIY repair. I just do not have the time right now plus we're having a heat wave up here in NY. I'm just very happy the insurance is paying and the boatyard is doing the labor. BTY, I have done rudder repair in the past. A job like this would take me by myself 2 – 3 times as long as it’s going to take the boatyard. I just want to get back out on the water ASAP!
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