Got the Bottom and Rudder lightly sanded on my 1988 Hunter Legend35. Every Fall, I drill a couple of Small holes in the Bottom of my Rudder, and one on each side of the top. Since I had the Boat (5th Year), the Rudder leaks a little. This year, a friend of mine was poking around with me, and thought he noticed a soft area on the side of the Rudder about 10" up from the bottom, in the middle. He did this my knocking on it with his knuckles, and listening for a Sound change. Since I already had my Sander available, I sanded down to Gelcoat (had a VC tar&VC17M job). Found one little weep spot. I drilled a couple of small hole in the area and it appeared to be dry,but where I drilled the Soft spot,it was weak. Sprayed some Acetone in it, and gonnna patch it with Marine Surface Putty,then VCTar,with VC17m on after that. Any other Suggestion out there.?
Rudder Soft Spots
- Thread starter Captain Dave
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My Experience
My C22 rudder leaked and got "soft" spots. I dutifully patched and sanded the weep spots and cracks. It looked great. Unfortunately, the wood core was rotting. The rudder snapped in half during a strong wind. I'd suggest you get it checked out thoroughly.
My C22 rudder leaked and got "soft" spots. I dutifully patched and sanded the weep spots and cracks. It looked great. Unfortunately, the wood core was rotting. The rudder snapped in half during a strong wind. I'd suggest you get it checked out thoroughly.
soft spot
HI dave I would drill a few 3/16 holes check and see if the fome is wet.if it looks dry fill the rudder with thick epoxy mix from the bottom up pushing the air out the top.Dont use acetone in side the rudder ,acetone eats foam up.If the rudder is wet inside you will have to fix it sooner or later.You could take the rudder home and drill holes in it every 3" and lay it over a heater to dry it .when dry tape holes on one side and fill with epoxy in calk gun.If there is water left in side it pushes out the top.If the rudder has been wet for a long time i cut around the edge and remove the glass sides and check the rudder post for rot.dry it out ,glue it and glass it.The hard part is getting the old rudder off. John
HI dave I would drill a few 3/16 holes check and see if the fome is wet.if it looks dry fill the rudder with thick epoxy mix from the bottom up pushing the air out the top.Dont use acetone in side the rudder ,acetone eats foam up.If the rudder is wet inside you will have to fix it sooner or later.You could take the rudder home and drill holes in it every 3" and lay it over a heater to dry it .when dry tape holes on one side and fill with epoxy in calk gun.If there is water left in side it pushes out the top.If the rudder has been wet for a long time i cut around the edge and remove the glass sides and check the rudder post for rot.dry it out ,glue it and glass it.The hard part is getting the old rudder off. John
Acetone Mistake
Glad you told me about the acetone. I was using that. I used a small squeeze bottle,so probably didnt use more than a couple ounces of acetone. I drilled about 5 small holes in the soft area, and used epoxy with a syringe to fill them. As far as removing the Rudder, I had the quadrant off,the rudder at the bottom blocked,and was able to pull the rudder if needed in less than an hour (had to recaulk around the rudder base). I think when it comes out of the water this Fall, the Rudder is coming home to stay in the dry basement for the Winter,and rebuild it like you say. Thanks again, Dave
Glad you told me about the acetone. I was using that. I used a small squeeze bottle,so probably didnt use more than a couple ounces of acetone. I drilled about 5 small holes in the soft area, and used epoxy with a syringe to fill them. As far as removing the Rudder, I had the quadrant off,the rudder at the bottom blocked,and was able to pull the rudder if needed in less than an hour (had to recaulk around the rudder base). I think when it comes out of the water this Fall, the Rudder is coming home to stay in the dry basement for the Winter,and rebuild it like you say. Thanks again, Dave
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