Hi all, Sailing on the bay last weekend, my rudder decided to snap in two. So I submitted an order to D and R for a new rudder for my Oday 25, but they said it will take 2 weeks to fill the order, then another week+ for shipping. As I'd like to be back on the water sometime in the next month, I'm looking for other alternatives. Does anyone know of another source for Oday parts, maybe more local, or maybe a used parts source? Is there another more easily available part from another manufacturer that I could jury rig in there? What would it take to simply build a new rudder myself? I have some carpentry skills, and not much dough (D&R is charging me $700!!!). thanks in advance for your help, Mitch.
- Status
Member of the Rudderless Gang
Your in great company Mitch. I'm convinced that every rudder O'Day has ever made will eventually deep six. You have priced the replacement, and announced your abilities, so start thinking in terms of building your own wooden one. Many of us have and would be happy to help you get started. Robert Krosse of Orillia, Ontario is starting his attempt at a rudder as we speak. It's not that difficult and should take no more than a week to fashion. Add a third (middle pintle) while your at it and you will never have to deal with this annoyance again. Don
Your in great company Mitch. I'm convinced that every rudder O'Day has ever made will eventually deep six. You have priced the replacement, and announced your abilities, so start thinking in terms of building your own wooden one. Many of us have and would be happy to help you get started. Robert Krosse of Orillia, Ontario is starting his attempt at a rudder as we speak. It's not that difficult and should take no more than a week to fashion. Add a third (middle pintle) while your at it and you will never have to deal with this annoyance again. Don
wow
That's beautiful! I may be going this route. First I will investigate a J24 rudder... take care, Mitch.
That's beautiful! I may be going this route. First I will investigate a J24 rudder... take care, Mitch.
Preparation
Well, I have heard so much about broken 25 rudders, I decided to start mine about 2 months ago. I am in no hurry, because mine is not broken. I went with a suggestion Don had a while ago. I epoxied two layers of marine plywood together. I had made a template from my rudder last fall. I laid the template on top, traced it and cut it out with a saber saw. I then trued it with a power planer. Last Friday I tapered and shaped it to a point of 90% complete. The tapering had to be done with a power planer then a sander. It is extremely difficult to hand plane because the plys of the plywood run in 90 degree directions. There was one advantage, the glue seam in the plywood shows how even your tapering is. When I was done planing the glue seams looked about 2.5 to 3" apart. From here, I still have some sanding to make the tapers on each side even. Then I will epoxy the entire rudder. Epoxy paint it and ablative bottom paint the submerged portion. If you don't have a power planer, I would go to the solid stock like Don did. r.w.landau
Well, I have heard so much about broken 25 rudders, I decided to start mine about 2 months ago. I am in no hurry, because mine is not broken. I went with a suggestion Don had a while ago. I epoxied two layers of marine plywood together. I had made a template from my rudder last fall. I laid the template on top, traced it and cut it out with a saber saw. I then trued it with a power planer. Last Friday I tapered and shaped it to a point of 90% complete. The tapering had to be done with a power planer then a sander. It is extremely difficult to hand plane because the plys of the plywood run in 90 degree directions. There was one advantage, the glue seam in the plywood shows how even your tapering is. When I was done planing the glue seams looked about 2.5 to 3" apart. From here, I still have some sanding to make the tapers on each side even. Then I will epoxy the entire rudder. Epoxy paint it and ablative bottom paint the submerged portion. If you don't have a power planer, I would go to the solid stock like Don did. r.w.landau
Broken Rudder
I snapped off the top portion of my rudder several months ago and ordered a new one from Rudy. It took just under 3 weeks to get it to me in Fl. With shipping and new pintals it cost $835. It weighed 94 lbs much heavier than the old one and well built. Mine snapped off as I was backing off a sand bar, my own fault. I have not installed it yet on my boat. I just drilled a new hole lower and put the tiller back on. The new one is made much stronger than the old one. I feel I will be able to recover some of the cost over a home made one at resale, There is a company in Florida than has ads every so often in the back of Sail Magazine for new rudders. My boat is an O'Day 26 probably the same rudder as a 25.
I snapped off the top portion of my rudder several months ago and ordered a new one from Rudy. It took just under 3 weeks to get it to me in Fl. With shipping and new pintals it cost $835. It weighed 94 lbs much heavier than the old one and well built. Mine snapped off as I was backing off a sand bar, my own fault. I have not installed it yet on my boat. I just drilled a new hole lower and put the tiller back on. The new one is made much stronger than the old one. I feel I will be able to recover some of the cost over a home made one at resale, There is a company in Florida than has ads every so often in the back of Sail Magazine for new rudders. My boat is an O'Day 26 probably the same rudder as a 25.
Maybe check out idasailor.com
I've got an o'day 20 that had a fixed rudder. I'm in the shallow channels of the NC coast alot and, if my centerboard was up, my rudder would ground first. idasailor can fabricate an hpde rudder for you. I got a kick-up rudder, tiller, pintles, mounting hardware, shipping for around $300 - $325 (he gave me about a $40 break because the rudder was fabricated for someone else who had backed out of the order) Some people may not like the hpde "plastic" look; but, It's a nice, sturdy, heavy rudder, that has quite a guarantee since the stuff is pretty much maintenance free and doesn't rot. Anyway, you might want to check out www.idasailor.com --Hise
I've got an o'day 20 that had a fixed rudder. I'm in the shallow channels of the NC coast alot and, if my centerboard was up, my rudder would ground first. idasailor can fabricate an hpde rudder for you. I got a kick-up rudder, tiller, pintles, mounting hardware, shipping for around $300 - $325 (he gave me about a $40 break because the rudder was fabricated for someone else who had backed out of the order) Some people may not like the hpde "plastic" look; but, It's a nice, sturdy, heavy rudder, that has quite a guarantee since the stuff is pretty much maintenance free and doesn't rot. Anyway, you might want to check out www.idasailor.com --Hise
Rudderless in Ontario
Hi Mitch, It really isn't that difficult. As Don mentioned, mine snapped the weekend before last and I started this past Friday building a new one. I used strips of 3/4" x 4" x 6' solid mahogany and laminated them. Shaped the rudder on Sunday and tonight I will put the second coat of epoxy paint on it and back sailing this (for us Canadians) long weekend. Total cost (including paint) $350.-
Hi Mitch, It really isn't that difficult. As Don mentioned, mine snapped the weekend before last and I started this past Friday building a new one. I used strips of 3/4" x 4" x 6' solid mahogany and laminated them. Shaped the rudder on Sunday and tonight I will put the second coat of epoxy paint on it and back sailing this (for us Canadians) long weekend. Total cost (including paint) $350.-
Plywood rudder
I took a picture this morning of the90% completed rudder. The cost of this was $60 for the 3/4" marine plywood, $59 for the west system. The paint will probably be $60. It took me 1.5 hours to pickup, cut, epoxy together. Then about 1 hour tracing the template cutting the shape with a sabre saw, and 2 hours shaping and sanding. It will probably take a total of two more hours to complete.( drying and curing time not included.) That is a total of about $180 and 6.5 hours work.
I took a picture this morning of the90% completed rudder. The cost of this was $60 for the 3/4" marine plywood, $59 for the west system. The paint will probably be $60. It took me 1.5 hours to pickup, cut, epoxy together. Then about 1 hour tracing the template cutting the shape with a sabre saw, and 2 hours shaping and sanding. It will probably take a total of two more hours to complete.( drying and curing time not included.) That is a total of about $180 and 6.5 hours work.
Attachments
WOW
Got a question folks. But first...the pics are awesome, and it looks great. Now on to my question. I have an intact rudder, however the leading edges are pretty worn down. It was made of wood. I was wondering what ya'll thought about filling in and fairing/shaping with expoxy and a good coat of epoxy on the whole thing. Chuck
Got a question folks. But first...the pics are awesome, and it looks great. Now on to my question. I have an intact rudder, however the leading edges are pretty worn down. It was made of wood. I was wondering what ya'll thought about filling in and fairing/shaping with expoxy and a good coat of epoxy on the whole thing. Chuck
going with idasailor...
price is right, plastic is fine by me, and though I'd love to one day build a rudder, right now I need to put that time into the 3525262363 other projects/problems.... cheers everyone, Mitch.
price is right, plastic is fine by me, and though I'd love to one day build a rudder, right now I need to put that time into the 3525262363 other projects/problems.... cheers everyone, Mitch.
- Status