Rudder Repair

[TheMastiff]

I'm trying to knock some more projects off my boat. How should I tackle this rudder? I'm very new to fiberglass work. From what I gather, I should buy some more West Systems epoxy and fiberglass the damaged ends and fair. Should I use an epoxy barrier coat afterwards, and then gelcoat? It appears to me that there was gelcoat on it previously.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dlochner]

Well, you do have some work ahead of yourself. Your repair is probably not the first time this rudder has been repaired. The tell is in Photo 4. The dry and peeling glass suggest the surface was not prepared well with the glass not bonding to the rudder. The dry glass suggests the glass was resin starved.

After glassing and fairing you have some choices, gelcoat is one of those choices. I would be inclined to give it a couple or three coats of an expoxy barrier coat like Interlux 2000e or TotalBoat epoxy primer and call it a day. This will be less work at about the same cost.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

With the seem at the edge compromised, I'd be concerned about water intrusion. Take the handle end of a screwdriver and tap every surface except the edges. If you hear a dead thud soud compared to the rest, it could mean there's water inside. This should be taken into account to determine if the best course of action is to repair or to replace

 

[TheMastiff]

With the seam at the edge compromised, I'd be concerned about water intrusion. Take the handle end of a screwdriver and tap every surface except the edges. If you hear a dead thud sound compared to the rest, it could mean there's water inside. This should be taken into account to determine if the best course of action is to repair or to replace

It seems solid; no unusual noises.