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leecea · 05-02-2023, 14:43

I have a spot on my rudder that is weeping water. I understand that means there has to be water in the rudder and that's a whole other can or worms, for another discussion.

For the moment I just want to know how to fix the tiny hole that is leaking. I can't see anything but there must be a hole as water drops slowly ooze out.

The rudder has ablative paint on it. I assume step one is to get that off and get down to the fiberglass.

But since this is such a small spot, I am hoping I just need to do this on a small section, like the size of a quarter.

Once I have done that, can I just use epoxy to cover this area?

Does that approach sound reasonable?

Thanks,
Andy

**JPA Cate** · 05-02-2023, 15:11

Quote:

I have a spot on my rudder that is weeping water. I understand that means there has to be water in the rudder and that's a whole other can or worms, for another discussion.

Sorry, but what you want to do will be purposeless. Trapped salt water inside the rudder will lead to oxygen deprivation corrosion of any stainless steel webbing in there. The fix is to open up the rudder and rebuild it, dry, not just seal it up. I'm afraid now is the time to learn about rudders.

Ann

psk125 · 05-02-2023, 15:25

The rudder on our Soling had a weep hole. It would drain every time we hoisted the boat back onto her trailer at the end of a day's racing. Plugging it up would have left water where it might have frozen over the winter and blown the rudder apart. We had no problems with it for about 20 years and sold the boat with it like that afaik. What kind of boat are we talking about, Andy?

leecea · 05-02-2023, 15:55

I am working with my yard on this - the rudder has no metal - it's 100% composite. I'm following their recommended plan and just looking for some of the simpler work to do myself to reduce the bill

Regards,
Andy

deblen · 05-02-2023, 16:05

If you haul out in a freeing climate,I suggest you consider drilling a small drain hole in bottom of rudder,to prevent freeze splitting.
The rudder will drain during storage & will be drier to patch/repair in spring.
There is already corrosive salt water in there,so no additional harm for the short future.

boatpoker · 05-02-2023, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by leecea

I am working with my yard on this - the rudder has no metal - it's 100% composite. I'm following their recommended plan and just looking for some of the simpler work to do myself to reduce the bill

Regards,
Andy

The rudder stock is also composite ?
Make of boat would be helpful as there are several different construction methods that would have an affect or repair.

SailingHarmonie · 05-02-2023, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by leecea

I am working with my yard on this - the rudder has no metal - it's 100% composite. I'm following their recommended plan and just looking for some of the simpler work to do myself to reduce the bill

Regards,
Andy

If you are working with your yard on this, why are you asking here? Will they not offer advice about things they are not actually doing? Do they not know how to handle this?

If there is no stainless steel inside, and corrosion concerns are zilch, what's the point of the repair? To keep water out? To stop the drip? To avoid freeze damage? All these questions are apropos to the method of repair.

While I am 100% sure there are boats with composite rudder shafts and internal webs, I haven't seen one in person yet , and would love more information about them. Please share...

My boat is designed with an unusual rudder. It has a stainless internal web, but is hollow, no foam core. There is a large drain hole in the bottom. If I haul at a boatyard that hasn't seen this brand of boat before, they see water pouring out of the bottom of the rudder. They typically try to tell me my rudder is total toast and needs major repair. One of those things that is not supposed to work, but somehow manages just fine.

boatpoker · 05-02-2023, 18:33

Why do so many post about their boats without stating what kind of boat it is or showing it on their profile? Is it a secret ?
This renders most responses useless

SailingHarmonie · 05-02-2023, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Why do so many post about their boats without stating what kind of boat it is or showing it on their profile? Is it a secret ?
This renders most responses useless

Of course, if you ask any questions you are being argumentative and difficult AND, if you give them an answer they don't want to hear you're just a know-nothing jerk.

(Apologies to the OP for hijacking his thread for a generic rant!)

fourlyons · 05-02-2023, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

If you are working with your yard on this, why are you asking here? Will they not offer advice about things they are not actually doing? Do they not know how to handle this?

If there is no stainless steel inside, and corrosion concerns are zilch, what's the point of the repair? To keep water out? To stop the drip? To avoid freeze damage? All these questions are apropos to the method of repair.

While I am 100% sure there are boats with composite rudder shafts and internal webs, I haven't seen one in person yet , and would love more information about them. Please share...

My boat is designed with an unusual rudder. It has a stainless internal web, but is hollow, no foam core. There is a large drain hole in the bottom. If I haul at a boatyard that hasn't seen this brand of boat before, they see water pouring out of the bottom of the rudder. They typically try to tell me my rudder is total toast and needs major repair. One of those things that is not supposed to work, but somehow manages just fine.

This could be a transom hung rudder with exterior hardware.

To answer the OP's question, yes, you can use epoxy to repair the hole. And yes, if the boat is stored in a freezing climate, freeze damage is a concern.

leecea · 06-02-2023, 10:28

Thanks to everyone for all the information and suggestions.

I know that people want to dig deeper into this and I appreciate the concern and willingness to help but I think there are plenty of good threads on rudder repair already, so I'm leaving it at that.

Drunkonwatch · 06-02-2023, 12:23

at least try to dry it subtly heat it up warm some of the moisture out. If you are going to patch it put another couple holes get the water out. imagine it’s full like a bottle because it is my two pesos

psk125 · 06-02-2023, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by leecea

Thanks to everyone for all the information and suggestions.

I know that people want to dig deeper into this and I appreciate the concern and willingness to help but I think there are plenty of good threads on rudder repair already, so I'm leaving it at that.

So answering your questions are a waste of our time? We'll have to remember that.

Drunkonwatch · 06-02-2023, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by psk125

So answering your questions are a waste of our time? We'll have to remember that.

When its like wet pilot bread he will ask again for help. I would get in look at it dry it out that scares me from personal childhood experience just saying when they fall off it’s never pleasant timing close to shore or in the seaway choose. I would head this one.