Rudder Crack Repair

[Sam Morgan]

Last summer, while sailing in Lake Mead, I got a side load on the runner when I got into shallow water and I put a crack in the top part of the rudder. I think the rudder is still structurally okay but I want to glass over the crack with resin and cloth. How much of the gel coat do I have to remove before applying the resin and the cloth? Also, what should I put on the repair to make the surface look like the rest of the rudder? If I had this repair done at a boat shop, about how much should I have to pay. The crack is about six inches long.I took the rudder to a repair shop in Colorado Springs and they wanted $420 to glass over the crack which is about the cost of a new rudder.

 

[nick maggio]

?

I can't help you with your problem ,I was just in vegas last week visiting my son who work's at the hard rock and while flying over lake mead I was wondering what sailing is like in the lake,I own a 290 with fix keel and 3'6" draft.

 

[Mark M Smith]

Been there done that

Grind the crack area down to exposed glass, use west systems 2 part epoxy, paint crack are with west, wet up some fiberglass mat and apply to crack area, let set for about 6hrs, till hard, sand smooth, wash down, paint with bottom paint.The repair area will be stronger than the rest of the rudder!! West System is VERY STRONG!!!Your cost will be about $40 in west and so on.

 

[Steve Wright]

how bad???

Judging from the cost to repair, you might want to consider a new rudder. The cost to repair shouldn't be that high if there was no structural damage. I would at least take it to another repair shop and see what they say. There are very high loads on the top of the rudder when sailing in high winds.

 

[Sam Morgan]

Sailing in Lake Mead

You should have no problem sailing a 290 in Lake Mead. I have seen bigger boats than this in the lake.

 

[Joe Turner]

Repair of Crack

Depending on whether the crack is superficial or structural I would suggest grinding a shallow "V" along the crack, say 3-inches on either side. I use epoxy resin but the West system is simpler and many say superior to the resin. I personally would place 2 to three layer of glass cloth down the crack, each one 1/2- to 1-inch wider than the previous. This assures your new patch makes good contact (scarfing)with the original resin on the rudder. Sand her down, prime, and paint.Having said that, if your damage is really minor or superficial, I would not go to this trouble.

 

[CORKY TROTTER]

glass

I think the two repair suggestions are fine. I did some glassing inside my boat this year and found it not that hard to do. so if you think it needs fixed do not hesitate to tackle it.Corky