rudder repair

[chris15030]

1978 Prout Quest 33It is clear I will have to repair my por side rudder. The Starboard side rudder floats in its cradle. Ther port side rudder does not float, is very heavy, and probably has taken water.Does anyone know how to remove the rudder? My guess is that the harwared at the bottom of the skeg comes out and the rudder drops out. The question is what does that hardware look like. It will be hard to tell on mine without grinding away stuff at the bottom of the skeg. Are there bolts. ARe they horizontal or vertical. Is the rudder set into the hardware attached to the4 skeg, or is the hardwareattached to the rudder and set nto the skeg.How is the rudder made on the inside. If one had to split oen the rudder, would it be best to split it along its perimiter in hopes of slitting it in two, or woudl one separate the bottom from the top vertically (on this boat there is horizontal seam about 18 inches down from then top.All help appreciated.

 

[Brad Washburn]

I have a newer version Snowgoose Elite, but I suppose the rudder is similar. At the bottom of the skep there is a plate with a couple of bolts. Remove the bolts as well as the steering mechanism attachment which should be found at the top of the shaft.As to repair. Lay the rudder flat. Then cut out an access panel. Let the rudder dry out. Then pack the rudder with as much foam as possible. Then put the access panel back on with fiberglass. It really isn't that big of a job.