Rudder Post Inspection During Haulout

[schoonerdog]

I'm hauling out and want to inspect the rudder post. Anyone have any tips on what to look for? Should it be done "professionally" but someone?

[roverhi]

Assuming the post is Stainless Steel, you'll be most concerned with corrosion at the lower bearing just above the rudder itself. SS corrodes in the absence of oxygen which can occur at the bearing. It should be obvious but it can also be cracks which may be harder to see. The yard should have someone who is familiar with this type of corrosion to back you up if you feel you need it. Probably wouldn't even charge you.

You'll have to drop the rudder, at least partially, to see the problem area.

[schoonerdog]

thank you

[GordMay]

Go to page 22
➥ Inspecting the Aging Sailboat - Google Books

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by schoonerdog

I'm hauling out and want to inspect the rudder post. Anyone have any tips on what to look for? Should it be done "professionally" but someone?

Depends on how far you want to go. When I inspected mine (free hanging balanced spade), I dropped the whole rudder out, ground away some of the rudder at the top so that more of the rudder post was exposed where it enters the rudder and took it to the local NDT guys who ran an array of tests on it (eg dye penetrant, eddy current, x-ray etc).