I recently dropped the rudder to repair the washer bearing inside the boat. During this time I plan to repair a small opening on the bottom of the rudder where the fiberglass has been nicked from an apparent groundings. I was surprised however at the weight of the rudder when removed. It weighed approximately 85 lbs. The boat has been on the hard since June and the rudder appears dry and in good shape with no delamination along the edges of the rudder where the two halves were joined . Tapping the rudder with a small mallet produced a consistent sound that does not give a hint of being water logged or of delamination. Plus when the boat was hauled out, I saw very little water come out of the small damaged area of about 3" along the bottom leading edge of the rudder. Is 80# the correct dry weight of the rudder for this boat? Should I start drilling random holes to ck for water before I begin with the glass repair? Your thoughts appreciated.
Rudder Repair
- Thread starter jsgonz
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How does your rudder compare in size with mine(picture)? This is a completely rebuilt rudder so is definitely bone dry. Two of us lifted it under the boat while they hoisted the boat. I'd say eighty or ninety pounds is about right. I wish I had asked and wonder if they knew.
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Thank you for your response and for the pictures for comparison. My rudder appears very similar, except that it does not have a cut-out for the skeg, but in terms of size, it is very similar. I believe my rudder is not waterlogged as the steel framing would surely weigh a significant amount of the total weight. Adding the fiberglass and the foam core, I guess 80 or so pounds is about right.
When I had my rudder of my H28.5 off to repair and replace the bearings, I found it difficult for one person to pick up, due to both its size and weight. I wound up placing a vinyl tarp under it and dragging it. It took two people to insert it back into the rudder tube after the repairs were made. My guess is easily weighed 85 lbs.
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