Can you please tell us O'Day 25 Owners what we can do to protect our rudders from breaking in two. Thanks!
- Status
Centerboard or keel?
Bob, The rudder on the C/B boat is about 9" deeper than the keel, therefore the first thing that hits the bottom in a grounding is the rudder. When in shallow water drop the board about half way and let it act as a depth warning device. If rudders are breaking under sail in deep water it must be because the core is rotton. Mine is 24 years old this month and I can't imagine it breaking unless I really put it on the bottom at speed. I have a greater concern about pulling the lower gudgen out of the transom than breaking the rudder. Let me weigh mine tonight and get back to you tommorow. If suspect rudders are heavier it could mean that the core is saturated and in danger of failure. PM
Bob, The rudder on the C/B boat is about 9" deeper than the keel, therefore the first thing that hits the bottom in a grounding is the rudder. When in shallow water drop the board about half way and let it act as a depth warning device. If rudders are breaking under sail in deep water it must be because the core is rotton. Mine is 24 years old this month and I can't imagine it breaking unless I really put it on the bottom at speed. I have a greater concern about pulling the lower gudgen out of the transom than breaking the rudder. Let me weigh mine tonight and get back to you tommorow. If suspect rudders are heavier it could mean that the core is saturated and in danger of failure. PM
Make it stronger
Bob, Off the transom rudders can be made stronger by using reinforcements inside the rudder. We have used rebar, aluminum plate, aluminum honeycomb (which was supplied by a customer). I have all of the O'Day molds including the 25 mold. If anyone is interested I would be happy to try and make them an unbreakable rudder. Most times off the transom ruddes break because of design or sailing habbits more than poor construction. Usually the rudder narrows in the place that bears the biggest ammount of force (just below the lower pintle). Thanks for your question. Sincerely, Al Walker
Bob, Off the transom rudders can be made stronger by using reinforcements inside the rudder. We have used rebar, aluminum plate, aluminum honeycomb (which was supplied by a customer). I have all of the O'Day molds including the 25 mold. If anyone is interested I would be happy to try and make them an unbreakable rudder. Most times off the transom ruddes break because of design or sailing habbits more than poor construction. Usually the rudder narrows in the place that bears the biggest ammount of force (just below the lower pintle). Thanks for your question. Sincerely, Al Walker
- Status