RUDDER DAMAGE

[Dave Slepoy]

On my 1991 Cat 28 the rudder has a curved crack near the top where the step is by the post. There is also some GOOO coming from the bottom lead edge that is brown in color, Two winters ago I repaired these areas with West System Epoxy then coated with VC Tar and VC17. The top bushing area was also repaired and 3M 5200 used to seal that area per a previous forum note. Does anyone know what the GOOO is and why the crack?? What is a good repair procedure short of a new rudder. Thanks ahead of time...ps attached is a photo of the damage.

 

[Jeff Martin]

Ooozing rudder......

It looks like there is water contained inside the rudder and is rusting either the rudder post, fins or welds inside. The best way is to remove the rudder, drill a couple of 1/2 inch holes (one high and one low) to drain the water, then find all cracks and seal with epoxy and then bed rudder post where it meet the rudder with 3M 5200 sealant