Water in the Rudder

[Mickey Goodman]

Before applying bottom paint I noticed what appears to be spots on the rudder where water was present and leached out of the rudder. I spoke to a few other sailors who were working on their boats and they concurred that I had water in the rudder over the winter. There did not appear to be any de-lamination of the rudder.I was told that the best course of action at this point was to drill 1/8 inch holes in the rudder at the spot where it appeared there was water and drain the rudder. After it drained apply 5200 to seal the holes and then re-drill the holes in the fall after the boat was out of the water.I did drill the holes and no water came out. Did I get bad advice? What else could have caused these "spots" to appear?

 

[Dave Tidwell]

Water in Rudder

I had the same problem with my '87 H35. Drilling two or three holes in the base of the rudder works but it must be done at haul out to allow time for the water to drain. It's probably too late to do much good this year... try again in the fall.

 

[Alan Liebnick]

Same here

I had the same problem. I drilled 1/4" holes 1" apart all around where the water appeared as well as at bottom. As was stated before it must be done at haul out. I let it drain over winter and then in the spring while working on the hull and other chores I had a heat lamp dry it out further. West System has an excellant 30 page book on their epoxy repairs. It worked for me after Ifilled and sanded holes. The hardest part was LOOKING at my "swiss cheese" rudder before it was filled. Good luck

 

[TOM MANALILI]

entrance

On my boat, it got in as snow, on the top end of the rudder shaft, where you install the emergency rudder handle, as it got down, inside tthe rudder when melting, it froze up again and cracked the skin, I had to repair it and wrap it with glass, I took a blue 2 liter plastic bottle bottom, and sliped it over the shaft assy, and it worked.