Rudder on newly purchased 'older boat' has rust stains and water coming out of middle of rudder. We were told to glass over cracks. Any other input?
leaky rudder
- Thread starter wantanewboat
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You'll probably want to take the rudder apart and examine the structure within, since there is a good chance it needs to be re-built. The rust stains are likely the rudder stock and webbing rusting...and it can lead to failure if you don't fix it properly.
Glassing over it isn't going to fix it. I'd point out that there is some sort of leak letting water into the rudder... and rudder webbing and stock has likely suffered from crevice corrosion.
Glassing over it isn't going to fix it. I'd point out that there is some sort of leak letting water into the rudder... and rudder webbing and stock has likely suffered from crevice corrosion.
if it is delaminated, you may have to replace it. The rudder on my Catalina 30 was delaminated when I was looking to buy it. Part of the purchase agreement was to replace the rudder.
It would be a bad thing if you lost your rudder while you are out sailing. Murphy's Law says that you would probably loose it when you needed it most too.
It may pay to have someone at a marina that is well qualified or a marine surveyor to look at it. If it is worth saving that could be determined by them. This isn't a good place to juryrig or skimp.
It would be a bad thing if you lost your rudder while you are out sailing. Murphy's Law says that you would probably loose it when you needed it most too.
It may pay to have someone at a marina that is well qualified or a marine surveyor to look at it. If it is worth saving that could be determined by them. This isn't a good place to juryrig or skimp.
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