Somebody knows how is made the Dufour 3800 rudder

[Estelle]

We would like to know how is conceived the Dufour 3800 rudder. Ours has tendency to crack and we have injected epoxy and tied it with clams 4 years ago. We then had the recommendation to make a small hole to help water that would freeze in winter, to evacuate it. We did not do it. The treatment made 4 years ago is still efficient à 90% but it started to crack again. Is it dangerous to lose the rudder eventually despite the epoxy treatment when required ? Does somebody has the sketch of a rudder that shows the inside structure. Somebody knows where we have to drill ? Thank you in advance.

 

[Rick I]

Quite a few soak up

Quite a few rudders soak up during the summer season. The quick fix is to drill a hole or two in the bottom edge of the rudder once the boat is hauled in the fall. Hopefully the water will drain out before a hard freeze. Plug the holes in the spring with epoxy. Most rudders are a fiberglas skin over a stainless web frame of sorts filled with foam.

 

[Patrick Neeley]

Rudders

Try contacting www.newrudders.com. They will make a new rudder for you using the patern from your old one. They may be able to give you advice on fixing your old one. They make rudders for a number of production boats. You will see those on their web site.