HELP!!! Hey guys I need some advice regarding my snapped off and slightly bent rudder. I contacted Foss Foam Rudders (The original maker of the rudder) and got a quote of $1,600 to replace it. Some of my buddies (not real experienced sailors) said I should take it to a welding shop and have it welded back together at aprox 1/2 to 1/3 the cost(it is the christmas season and I could use the extra money). When I lost the rudder, thankfully with out my sails up, I was doing full speed ahead at aprox. 6 knots. Next thing I know, I am doing full speed ahead donuts in the channel. Thank God it was at night and there wasn't any traffic. If I was in the cannal or if a boat was atempting to pass me, there is no telling how much damage could have been done. The rudder post is snapped off right at the top of the rudder. The inside support to the rudder post is slightly bent. What do you guys think??? Is it salvageable to as good as new ay 1/2 to 1/3 cost or as I think, should it be completely replaced. I would appreciate your comments very much. "DADDY"S DREAM"
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Replace it
The weld is just another thing waiting to go wrong. The real scary thing is that this is the 2nd rudder to snap off at only 6knots.
The weld is just another thing waiting to go wrong. The real scary thing is that this is the 2nd rudder to snap off at only 6knots.
Insured Loss?
Tom: turn a claim in. I assume it didn't just fall off. Your description sounds as if there was an impact. Is there any evidence of it? Was it grounded recently? If it is related to something other than a straight mechanical failure, there might be coverage. The'bent' description made me wonder. FYI: as much as I am an advocate of repair first, I would worry about surface corrosion of a weld under water, but don't take my word for it. Maybe you just call it an early Christmas present and pass on the Rolex? :> Good luck. Rick D.
Tom: turn a claim in. I assume it didn't just fall off. Your description sounds as if there was an impact. Is there any evidence of it? Was it grounded recently? If it is related to something other than a straight mechanical failure, there might be coverage. The'bent' description made me wonder. FYI: as much as I am an advocate of repair first, I would worry about surface corrosion of a weld under water, but don't take my word for it. Maybe you just call it an early Christmas present and pass on the Rolex? :> Good luck. Rick D.
Had mine fixed
I bent the rudder on my H37 Cutter and had it repaired. It's probably stronger than when it was new. Here's how it can be done. First, they cut back the rudder itself to expose the shaft below the bent/broken area. Then they cut it off down inside the rudder below the bent area. A new pipe of the same material is cut to replace it. They turned a solid piece to go inside the shaft, going several inches below and above the cut place. The new pipe is slipped over it and it is all TIG welded back together. Once that is done, you'll have to rebuild the cut out area. I did this with fiberglass and it worked just fine. Cost of the rudder repair was about $250 or so. I took it out of the boat(in the water) and carried it to the shop. I rebuilt the cut out place, and re-installed it (again, in the water.) My insurance would have covered it, but my deductable was $800, so I saved quite a bit to do it this way. Foss Foam quoted me about $1250 for a new rudder, plus shipping, so this was definately the cheapest route.
I bent the rudder on my H37 Cutter and had it repaired. It's probably stronger than when it was new. Here's how it can be done. First, they cut back the rudder itself to expose the shaft below the bent/broken area. Then they cut it off down inside the rudder below the bent area. A new pipe of the same material is cut to replace it. They turned a solid piece to go inside the shaft, going several inches below and above the cut place. The new pipe is slipped over it and it is all TIG welded back together. Once that is done, you'll have to rebuild the cut out area. I did this with fiberglass and it worked just fine. Cost of the rudder repair was about $250 or so. I took it out of the boat(in the water) and carried it to the shop. I rebuilt the cut out place, and re-installed it (again, in the water.) My insurance would have covered it, but my deductable was $800, so I saved quite a bit to do it this way. Foss Foam quoted me about $1250 for a new rudder, plus shipping, so this was definately the cheapest route.
Rudder Removal
Hello Gene Gruender of Austin, Tx. Please post how you removed and replaced your rudder in the water on your H37 Cutter. What water depth did you need? Special tools? Etc. Or e-mail me at bob_fuller@tnb.com. Thanks
Hello Gene Gruender of Austin, Tx. Please post how you removed and replaced your rudder in the water on your H37 Cutter. What water depth did you need? Special tools? Etc. Or e-mail me at bob_fuller@tnb.com. Thanks
Replace It !!
Replace it! Hunter/Foss rudders have had a history of "rudder fatigue". Our 84 H31 rudder broke with no warning while under little stress. My insurance co. payed for the replacement rudder and the cost of the installation. I made up my deductable by replacing the rudder myself while the boat was in the water. We have a deep draft so we needed about 10' of water(the rudder + post is about 8' long). A friend and I used scuba gear to install the new rudder. The biggest problem is the rudder(foam filled)wants to float and the post(heavy stainless steel)wants to sink, so it becomes quite an underwater wresteling match !! Good Luck, Bob S/V Lady Di II PS: I bought my replacement rudder from FossFoam. The new post is much heavier than the old rudder.
Replace it! Hunter/Foss rudders have had a history of "rudder fatigue". Our 84 H31 rudder broke with no warning while under little stress. My insurance co. payed for the replacement rudder and the cost of the installation. I made up my deductable by replacing the rudder myself while the boat was in the water. We have a deep draft so we needed about 10' of water(the rudder + post is about 8' long). A friend and I used scuba gear to install the new rudder. The biggest problem is the rudder(foam filled)wants to float and the post(heavy stainless steel)wants to sink, so it becomes quite an underwater wresteling match !! Good Luck, Bob S/V Lady Di II PS: I bought my replacement rudder from FossFoam. The new post is much heavier than the old rudder.
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