Drilling rudder to drain water before freeze up

[RBilly]

I have an '83 O' Day 28 on Georgian Bay , Ontario, Canada.
Just had a survey done and showed higher levels of moisture in rudder. All older sailboats do!
There is no cracking, splitting on top of rudder, edges or bottom.
We're just starting to get into freezing temps here and want to drill a hole /holes to allow to drain out before Winter and also Spring.
Any suggestions on where, how big, deep and how many? Of course I would seal up again with epoxy before antifouling and launching in Spring.
Thanks,
RBilly

 

[Ken Cross]

I'd start with one or two and see if anything comes out. It's possible that multiple locations could trap water inside. I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-E49MM0...pID=41eZdpEuNWL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
It could help isolate it by showing where to drill. It works really well for a really inexpensive tool. Just use it like a stud finder.

Ken

 

[jon hansen]

on my 66' alden i installed a bronze drain plug in the bottom of the rudder. i open the drain when i hall the boat out for the winter season each year. this year i saw about 1/4 of a shot glass come out. i just figured it would keep the rudder drier this way year to year. do not have to reglass each spring. easy peezy

 

[dlochner]

If you let it freeze, you'll know exactly where the water is.

But you're trying to avoid that.

The rudder probably built in 2 pieces and foam filled. If it is a closed cell foam the water will work its way down to the bottom the rudder. A ¼" hole through the skin of the rudder at the lowest level will let most if not all of the water to drain.

The usual place water will get into the rudder is at the rudder post. The SS post and the fiberglass rudder have different rates of expansion, this will allow a small opening to form around the rudder post. Once your rudder is dry, drop it and clean out that joint and seal with a sealant that has good adhesion and good flexibility. A polysulfide caulk, like Life Caulk or a caulk like 3M 4200 or 4000. Do not use 5200! 5200 is an adhesive, not a caulk that is flexible.

BoatWorks Today has a video series on repairing a wet rudder core. Here's the first video

Good luck.

 

[RBilly]

Many Thanks. Starting with a hole in bottom of rudder today.

 

[RBilly]

Thanks, RB

 

[Daveinet]

Drill a hole you can put a small stainless screw back into. Then it makes it easy to drain the next time.

 

[Gunni]

Tape up a PVC plumbing fitting over the hole that will accept your shop vac hose and let it run for 20 minutes or so, then leave the rudder open to drain. You can do the reverse in the spring and use soapy water to see where the rudder leaks. Usually at the rudder post, rudders bend and flex against the post.

 

[Richard Bryer]

I drilled 2X1/4 holes in the bottom of my rudder after I bought the boat in 2002 and fixed the bulge in it- probably caused by freezing water in it. I drilled up about 3". I fill them with about 1/2 inch of caulk- used 4200, silicone. outdoor caulk- what ever I have had handy. At haulout I pull the caulk out and let the water drip out . It usually looks like there is less that 1 cup of water that comes out. I have cleaned and caulked the top of the rudder at the shaft joint, but a bit stll seeps in even after refinishing the rudder 5 years ago and applying 5 coats of epoxy.

 

[JRacer]

I drill a 1/8 (or so) hole in mine straight up from the bottom at the lowest point and leave it open all winter to drain and dry. Then, in the spring, I epoxy the hole closed. Always put a piece of blue tape on the side of the rudder to remind me to fill the hole before launch ("remove before flight").

 

[NYSail]

On my first boat a 1977 cal 34-111 I dropped the rudder every winter and put it upside down next to the boiler. It was an easy drop....

Greg

 

[Dalliance]

I have been drilling a small drain hole at the lowest point on the bottom of the rudder and a smaller air hole near the top, then filling them with thickened epoxy in the spring. I think the air hole at the top helps drain the rudder more quickly and more thoroughly.
I keep spring and fall checklists in the Notes App on my iPhone and iPad for easy reference at the boat yard so I don’t forget to fill the holes in the spring.