I'm considering the purchase of an 89 Oday 322. Everything seems ok except for osmosis on the rudder. Anyone have any experience with ruddder repairs on a 322 or should it just be replaced? A new one is listed for 1,895.00 at D & R Marine. Any help appreciated. Cheers and great sailing.
Oday 322 Rudder
- Thread starter Ernie14800
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I repaired
The rudder on my 322 this spring. The main problem was not the blisters but the outer layer had delaminated from the inner core. Drilling a series of holes to allow the water out and air in. I injected West Marine Epoxy into the rudder and clamped the outer layer to the core. Works for now. I would have a surveyor look at it and go from there. Good Luck Jeff
The rudder on my 322 this spring. The main problem was not the blisters but the outer layer had delaminated from the inner core. Drilling a series of holes to allow the water out and air in. I injected West Marine Epoxy into the rudder and clamped the outer layer to the core. Works for now. I would have a surveyor look at it and go from there. Good Luck Jeff
Hey Ernie....
I have fallen in love with the 322, and hope to move up from my O25 in the near future. Question....In reading the owner reviews on this site, the "keel to hull" attachment on this model could need beefing up. I never really understood exactly what the problem was, but do you know anything about this? Is it an expensive fix? Thanks
I have fallen in love with the 322, and hope to move up from my O25 in the near future. Question....In reading the owner reviews on this site, the "keel to hull" attachment on this model could need beefing up. I never really understood exactly what the problem was, but do you know anything about this? Is it an expensive fix? Thanks
Been there, done that
Ernie: I bought a 1989 322 this spring, and the surveyor found serious delamination in the rudder, along with more-than-desirable separation in the keel/hull joint. I could've drilled, drained and refilled the rudder, but the surveyor said this would probably only buy me a little time. (There seemed to be about an inch or so of deflection between the skin and the core.) So, after renegotiating the purchase price, I opted to fit a new rudder, made by Foss Foam in Florida (see link below), which has ready-to-go templates for the rudders on the vast majority of production boats made in the US in the last 20-25 years. As I recall, cost was $1,500 plus shipping and installation. Not cheap, but I'm good for the long haul. As for the keel/hull joint, it wasn't anything so drastic as to require dropping the keel, but what I did do was, first, retorque the keel bolts (280 foot-lbs for the 3 big bolts, 160, for the smaller one). Then I cleaned out the joint (with a scraper and a Dremel), and resealed it with 5200. Once that cured, I scraped and sanded off the bottom paint for a couple inches on either side of the joint, and laid on a heapin' helping of Interlux epoxy filler, fairing it as best I could and, once fully cured, giving it a followup sanding. Then came two coats of West system epoxy, and, ultimately, the bottom paint. So far, a nice dry bilge. Now wasn't that simple? Good luck. Pete
Ernie: I bought a 1989 322 this spring, and the surveyor found serious delamination in the rudder, along with more-than-desirable separation in the keel/hull joint. I could've drilled, drained and refilled the rudder, but the surveyor said this would probably only buy me a little time. (There seemed to be about an inch or so of deflection between the skin and the core.) So, after renegotiating the purchase price, I opted to fit a new rudder, made by Foss Foam in Florida (see link below), which has ready-to-go templates for the rudders on the vast majority of production boats made in the US in the last 20-25 years. As I recall, cost was $1,500 plus shipping and installation. Not cheap, but I'm good for the long haul. As for the keel/hull joint, it wasn't anything so drastic as to require dropping the keel, but what I did do was, first, retorque the keel bolts (280 foot-lbs for the 3 big bolts, 160, for the smaller one). Then I cleaned out the joint (with a scraper and a Dremel), and resealed it with 5200. Once that cured, I scraped and sanded off the bottom paint for a couple inches on either side of the joint, and laid on a heapin' helping of Interlux epoxy filler, fairing it as best I could and, once fully cured, giving it a followup sanding. Then came two coats of West system epoxy, and, ultimately, the bottom paint. So far, a nice dry bilge. Now wasn't that simple? Good luck. Pete
Fosfoam rudder issues
Hi Ernie, I have been the proud owner of an O'Day 322 for five years know and overall it has been a great boat. I too had issues with the rudder when I purchased it. The previous owner had the yard try to fix it to no avail. Two years ago I too drilled holes into the rudder followed by epoxy to repair a major delamination issue with it. Since then it has stopped leaking water at the end of the season when it is pulled out. A positive sign as far as I know. As far as a new rudder goes, here is a little bit of info I have gathered over the years on this issue: 1. The primary cause of the failure or delamination of the rudder is due to the different rates of expansion of the foam versus the fiberglass skin. I don't know if a new fosfoam rudder would fix this issue? The fosfoam site warns about dark paint causing issues so that is something to think about. 2. A new rudder from DR marine would address this issue since it is solid epoxy but it would weigh more possibly affecting the balance of the ship?? As I said in the beginning this is a great boat for coastal cruising. The major strength is its roominess down below in the cabin. Its major weakness is that it is a bit underpowered although it has a Yanmar diesel that seems to love to run even after 17 years! Another area to watch is the brace for the cleats are small metal bars that might lead to some stress fractures. I have over the years reinforced a few areas to help with this problem. I would hole heartedly recommend one to a friend. Best of luck! Dave
Hi Ernie, I have been the proud owner of an O'Day 322 for five years know and overall it has been a great boat. I too had issues with the rudder when I purchased it. The previous owner had the yard try to fix it to no avail. Two years ago I too drilled holes into the rudder followed by epoxy to repair a major delamination issue with it. Since then it has stopped leaking water at the end of the season when it is pulled out. A positive sign as far as I know. As far as a new rudder goes, here is a little bit of info I have gathered over the years on this issue: 1. The primary cause of the failure or delamination of the rudder is due to the different rates of expansion of the foam versus the fiberglass skin. I don't know if a new fosfoam rudder would fix this issue? The fosfoam site warns about dark paint causing issues so that is something to think about. 2. A new rudder from DR marine would address this issue since it is solid epoxy but it would weigh more possibly affecting the balance of the ship?? As I said in the beginning this is a great boat for coastal cruising. The major strength is its roominess down below in the cabin. Its major weakness is that it is a bit underpowered although it has a Yanmar diesel that seems to love to run even after 17 years! Another area to watch is the brace for the cleats are small metal bars that might lead to some stress fractures. I have over the years reinforced a few areas to help with this problem. I would hole heartedly recommend one to a friend. Best of luck! Dave
So did you purchase
Just wondering how the surven went, and if you would care to share the price/ I amm looking and trying to determine value.
Just wondering how the surven went, and if you would care to share the price/ I amm looking and trying to determine value.
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