The boat is up for the winter, and a check under found the rudder had some significant apparant delamination on the port side. No breaks in the skin, and no water entering the rudder, as far as I can tell. Fix? Drill a few holes and squirt in epoxy? Ideas from anyone welcome.
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What does it look like?
What does your rudder look like? Is it deformed in some way (e.g., abulge in the skin)? If so, there is almost certainly water in the rudder's core. Check archives, this topic has been discussed quite extensively. Good luck!
What does your rudder look like? Is it deformed in some way (e.g., abulge in the skin)? If so, there is almost certainly water in the rudder's core. Check archives, this topic has been discussed quite extensively. Good luck!
Cut the skin off
Two years ago, I noticed the same condition on my rudder. Just like yours, there was no evidence of water entry, and the rest of the rudder skin was not delaminated. This is what I did. After I removed all bottom paint from the rudder, I carefully drew a line around the perimeter of the delaminated skin. Then, using a small high speed saw, cut the delaminated skin away, making sure that the edge of the remaining skin was still firmly bonded to the underlying foam, which I made sure was solid. I picked some remaining FG threads from the exposed foam, and then applied multiple coats of West Epoxy, sanding and fairing between each coat. (You will need to thicken it substantially to prevent sagging on the vertical surface). When I was satisfied that the surface was fair, I put three coats of Interlux barrier coat and then bottom painted. The repaired area and the rest of the rudder are still in good shape, with no further evidence of delamination.
Two years ago, I noticed the same condition on my rudder. Just like yours, there was no evidence of water entry, and the rest of the rudder skin was not delaminated. This is what I did. After I removed all bottom paint from the rudder, I carefully drew a line around the perimeter of the delaminated skin. Then, using a small high speed saw, cut the delaminated skin away, making sure that the edge of the remaining skin was still firmly bonded to the underlying foam, which I made sure was solid. I picked some remaining FG threads from the exposed foam, and then applied multiple coats of West Epoxy, sanding and fairing between each coat. (You will need to thicken it substantially to prevent sagging on the vertical surface). When I was satisfied that the surface was fair, I put three coats of Interlux barrier coat and then bottom painted. The repaired area and the rest of the rudder are still in good shape, with no further evidence of delamination.
Keep it covered up
Foss foam, the maker of the rudder sites exposure to sun while out of the water (especially with dark colored bottom paint) as the main reason this happens. The moisture in the rudder (with nowhere to go) expands when the sun beats on the uncovered rudder and the gas causes delamination. Always cover your rudder with a white blanket (go to good will or thrift store, like we did) whenever the boat is on the hard. Doug
Foss foam, the maker of the rudder sites exposure to sun while out of the water (especially with dark colored bottom paint) as the main reason this happens. The moisture in the rudder (with nowhere to go) expands when the sun beats on the uncovered rudder and the gas causes delamination. Always cover your rudder with a white blanket (go to good will or thrift store, like we did) whenever the boat is on the hard. Doug
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