Has anyone ever had to do a deep inspection(open up/cut away glass) of their rudder post? I have a 1983 30 Classic in freshwater that has a straight streak of rust(eight inch) coming from the top of the post straight down one side of the rudder that appeared two weeks after haul out. Thanks, Paul
Mercator
1983 Classic 30
Sodus Bay, NY
Hi Paul, many of our boats have a rust-like streak down the rudder post and rudder. On the Nonsuches in our marina this streak is the result of water running out of the rudder tube after hauling. Remember that there’s grease between the rudder post and rudder tube and any water that’s trapped in there will ultimately come out and leave a rust-like stain.
If you did have water in your rudder it won’t come out of the top where the post meets the rudder. It will come out much lower on the rudder when it freezes and the rudder skin develops small cracks.
It’s always a good idea to make sure that the seal where the rudder post enters the rudder is sound however I’m pretty sure you’re rudder is just fine.
Regards…Ron
Ron & Diane Schryver
“Alpha Waves” '87 NS30U #393
Georgian Bay, Midland ON
Thanks Ron. I have had to drill small holes at the bottom of rudder to drain water before our first freeze.
Hi Paul;
There is at least one article on the INA members web site - one a plan, the other in one of the old newsletters outlining taking the skin off of the rudder for straightening the rudder. (there may be more than 1 article in the old newsletters)
It seems that the web site is in transition at the moment so it not available. Maybe someone here has the newsletters downloaded.
John
I had downloaded these files.
Will
30C #181
(attachments)
rudder removal and repair1.pdf (57.1 KB)
rudder section4.pdf (58 KB)
rudder drawing 2.pdf (158 KB)
rudder drawing3.pdf (103 KB)
Is there any way to determine if there is water in the rudder other than drill holes in the bottom or wait for cracks to appear in the skin? Also, if the rudder is filled with foam would all the water drain out or would it be trapped in the pores of the foam?
…..Ed
Ed and Marlene Brost
SaSeaCat N30U 322
Sarnia Ontario
We previously experienced this problem when we owned our NS30C. We found that the problem arose from the difficulty of the fiberglass maintaining a watertight seal with the stainless steel rudder post at the top of the rudder. Given the rigidity of the fbg, the adhesion problems inherent with stainless steel, and the torque pressures involved, ultimately the seal was compromised slightly allowing water to seep into the rudder. Our solution was to first remove the rudder and store it upside down indoors for the winter allowing as much water to escape as possible. And then in the spring we had a shop rout out the fiberglass around the post at the top of the rudder to a degree. The routed area was then filled with 3M 5200 which allowed a permanent yet slightly flexible seal to absorb any similar torque and it seemed to do the trick for us.
Doug Hodgkins
Naiad 18 SKIMMER
Edgartown, MA
Hi Ed, I’ve checked the rudder in the past with a moisture meter and the readings are off the chart but then again that’s to be expected since the rudder is filled with metal i.e. the rudder post as well as the metal framework attached to the post.
Hammer soundings done by an experienced surveyor may reveal punky material but that requires a trained ear. Apart from that more invasive methods might be the only other option.
Ron
Thanks Ron;
I don’t know if we have a problem or not. I was concerned that we might as we, like Paul, also see a few brownish streaks down the starboard side of the rudder. But your explanation suggesting it likely is a mix of grease and water draining from the rudder post seems not only plausible, but likely. Also, if there is water in the rudder it would stay in the rudder not flow out the top.
I have thought of drilling a small ‘drain’ hole at the bottom of the rudder to see if water runs out and leave it open for the winter. Then insert a screw and sealant for the summer. Is this a common or recommended practice?
OR, is it best not to kick a sleeping dog, and just leave it alone unless signs of cracks appear.
…..Ed
Ed and Marlene Brost
SaSeaCat N30U 322
Sarnia Ontario
Thanks Doug; this looks like a practical option. Sounds similar to the process of sealing off the joint between the bottom of the rudder post and the hull.
…..Ed
Ed and Marlene Brost
SaSeaCat N30U 322
Sarnia Ontario
When I got my boat in 2004 the surveyor noted some water in the rudder, but not enough to worry about. However, before launch three years ago I saw a rust streak from a pin hole in the port side of the rudder. Not wanting an expensive repair job, like a friend of mine, I learned that without removing the rudder I could clean out some of the old sealant from the top of the rudder where the shaft enters. I then laid in fresh underwater sealant. I also sealed up the pin hole in the side of the rudder where I had observed a rusty water leak. I then drilled a hole in the leading edge of the rudder about 5 inches from the bottom & struck rusty water! I drilled another hole about two feet up to serve as an air hole. Before launch I tapped the holes and put in screws covered in underwater sealant. After haul out this fall I again removed the two screws & after checking today there has been almost no rusty water draining out.
Herb G. Huber
MISTOFFELEES 30C #91
Southern Lake Huron Fleet