My Hunter 28.5 has the original Foss foam rudder. When I purchased, the surveyor noted higher than normal moisture readings in some areas of the rudder, and indicated that I may have to rebuild/replace it sometime in the next 5 years.
I'd like to extend that time by as much as I can and want to prevent the freeze/thaw cycle from doing any damage while she's on the hard over the winter. I've decided to drill a weep hole in the rudder now to see if I can drain any moisture out before the freeze, and will just fill the hole back in with epoxy before launching in the spring.
Has anybody done this with a foam-cored rudder and noted any real success? Do you think that a single weep hole at the lowest point is sufficient, or should I drill one at the leading and one at the trailing edge? If I know there is moisture higher up would it help to drill a hole at that level or will all moisture eventually drip down to the bottom anyway? What size hole do you recommend or did you find was adequate? A 1/8" hole? A 1/4" hole? Something even bigger?
Educate me, if you please.
I'd like to extend that time by as much as I can and want to prevent the freeze/thaw cycle from doing any damage while she's on the hard over the winter. I've decided to drill a weep hole in the rudder now to see if I can drain any moisture out before the freeze, and will just fill the hole back in with epoxy before launching in the spring.
Has anybody done this with a foam-cored rudder and noted any real success? Do you think that a single weep hole at the lowest point is sufficient, or should I drill one at the leading and one at the trailing edge? If I know there is moisture higher up would it help to drill a hole at that level or will all moisture eventually drip down to the bottom anyway? What size hole do you recommend or did you find was adequate? A 1/8" hole? A 1/4" hole? Something even bigger?
Educate me, if you please.