PCUK
Well-Known Member
Why not make it from epoxy coated mild steel? it will never break and won't cost a lot to make.
looking for an affordable rudder maker for my 22ft yacht
- Thread starter woozy-UK
- Start date
lw395
Well-Known Member
My thoughts would be:
Modify something you can get secondhand
Or build from foam covered in glass, maybe with a bit of carbon or Kevlar.
Third choice wood.
I would not be doing much planning or spoke-shaving, I'd use a router, following contours drawn on the blank.
Some ideas here:
http://www.uk-cherub.org/doku.php/tech/foils
Modify something you can get secondhand
Or build from foam covered in glass, maybe with a bit of carbon or Kevlar.
Third choice wood.
I would not be doing much planning or spoke-shaving, I'd use a router, following contours drawn on the blank.
Some ideas here:
http://www.uk-cherub.org/doku.php/tech/foils
TSB240
Well-Known Member
I thought the clue was in the title of the thread....
lots of helpful tips on how to DIY and make a rudder.....
But none on an affordable rudder maker!
As Seajet suggest £200 would probably not cover your materials for a decent piece of wood and finishing...
How much do you think a skilled person would charge for at least a couple of days work.......
Have you also tried Milanes....
http://www.milanesfoils.co.uk/page.php?10
Previous link showed a beautiful rudder for a Sonata from tony mackillican. Would be a drop in replacement.
I suppose you can take a horse to water but its more difficult to get a non DIY scotsman to open up his wallet!
lots of helpful tips on how to DIY and make a rudder.....
But none on an affordable rudder maker!
As Seajet suggest £200 would probably not cover your materials for a decent piece of wood and finishing...
How much do you think a skilled person would charge for at least a couple of days work.......
Have you also tried Milanes....
http://www.milanesfoils.co.uk/page.php?10
Previous link showed a beautiful rudder for a Sonata from tony mackillican. Would be a drop in replacement.
I suppose you can take a horse to water but its more difficult to get a non DIY scotsman to open up his wallet!
caiman
Well-Known Member
Having done one,I now would not hesitate to make another rudder myself by going the Kingspan/Epoxy/Woven Roving/Carbon Fibre route.If you use carbon fibre then shop around the glass fibre suppliers.For Epoxy,try Fyne Boats who do a solvent free Epoxy at a reasonable price(no smell).I knew very little about rudders at the time,but had made a NACA section carbon sheathed dagger board for my 8m Tri using a similar method to that mentioned previously.As has been said,there is some 'science' involved but all the info is on the web.Boat Design.net is a usefull resource.If you go for it,try experimenting with vacum bagging first.The simple expedient of using an old hoover and a couple of bin bags duct taped together will yeild suprisingly good results for the minimal extra time/effort/cost involved.My dagger/rudder are now tried and tested over 1000nm at sustained speeds(not surfing) up to 14K with no problems.(well, she is a Tri)
Good luck.
Cheers
PS.FOLLOW ALL THE SAFETY RULES CONCERNING EPOXY.Once you find out how easy/good it is you will definatly not want to get allergic to it.
Good luck.
Cheers
PS.FOLLOW ALL THE SAFETY RULES CONCERNING EPOXY.Once you find out how easy/good it is you will definatly not want to get allergic to it.
Last edited:
MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
Is the OP uninsured?
My mate's rudder split and broke off his 23ft boat. It had a bronze stock and spot welded SS tangs and was doomed. A new rudder and stock cost £1400 all paid for by GJW withot a murmur.
My mate's rudder split and broke off his 23ft boat. It had a bronze stock and spot welded SS tangs and was doomed. A new rudder and stock cost £1400 all paid for by GJW withot a murmur.
woozy-UK
Well-Known Member
no, i AM insured, infact with GJW too. just basic insurance though
the question was asked because i have f-all practical skills or knowledge and am on a very tight budget (was just made redundant and just started another job) and i need the yacht usable ASAP
the question was asked because i have f-all practical skills or knowledge and am on a very tight budget (was just made redundant and just started another job) and i need the yacht usable ASAP
Last edited:
davidpbo
Well-Known Member
I am not seeing any information as regards location (I might of missed it).
VicS
Well-Known Member
William_H
Well-Known Member
Well I can not help with a name for someone to mnake a rudder for OP. yes it will cost a lot of money. I would DIY without hesitation. I think OP might find it fun and interesting to build a new. However firstly a friend has made you a rudder? You say it is not deep enough.
The design of a rudder is a contradiction. very narrow very deep can give best sailing performance. However as you have found this kind of rudder is susceptible to damage when grounding. (or pulling off). The rudder you have may be a better compromise if you think you might go aground again.
The shape of the rudder is not critical to be the same as original. However you will note that some of the rudder area is forward of the line of the pintles (hinges) This balances the load on the rudder so makes steering easier. About 15% to 20% is a good amount.
I would start with a wood base. Any softwood would be fine. Shape it to a foil shape but about 5mm narrower all round. ie 10mm less in thickness than end product.
Lay fibreglass around the wood. Such that ultimately the wood is just a former for the fibreglass. So you could use foam. I think wood makes it easier at the pintle attachments.
Fibreglass can be bit thinner down twards the bottom. You need real strength on the sides. Carbon fibre would go really well here. You cna use polyester resin as adhesion is not a problem if the GRP is thick enough. If you go for thin GRP onto srobust wood then you need epoxy to help ity adhere to the wood.
Just a few thoughts good luck olewill
The design of a rudder is a contradiction. very narrow very deep can give best sailing performance. However as you have found this kind of rudder is susceptible to damage when grounding. (or pulling off). The rudder you have may be a better compromise if you think you might go aground again.
The shape of the rudder is not critical to be the same as original. However you will note that some of the rudder area is forward of the line of the pintles (hinges) This balances the load on the rudder so makes steering easier. About 15% to 20% is a good amount.
I would start with a wood base. Any softwood would be fine. Shape it to a foil shape but about 5mm narrower all round. ie 10mm less in thickness than end product.
Lay fibreglass around the wood. Such that ultimately the wood is just a former for the fibreglass. So you could use foam. I think wood makes it easier at the pintle attachments.
Fibreglass can be bit thinner down twards the bottom. You need real strength on the sides. Carbon fibre would go really well here. You cna use polyester resin as adhesion is not a problem if the GRP is thick enough. If you go for thin GRP onto srobust wood then you need epoxy to help ity adhere to the wood.
Just a few thoughts good luck olewill
Fantasie 19
Well-Known Member
So have you checked with your insurer?? Insurance is for accidental damage, it's going to have to be very basic not to cover replacement due to accidental damage?????
woozy-UK
Well-Known Member
yes, have sent the form to them. see what they say
TSB240
Well-Known Member
If it is any consolation I am insured with the same company and they coughed up (minus excess) as soon as I presented them with an invoice for a new rudder.
No premium increase this year!
I am sure that If you copy the picture of your broken rudder to them they will fully understand that a repair is not possible and they will authorise you to replace with new.
Sorry about the joke about opening your wallet understandable in our circumstances!
Some small businesses may issue a proforma invoice which might just get paid by the Insurance company before you have to!
Steve
woozy-UK
Well-Known Member
i included a link for them to go to the RNLI report too of the incident
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Rather than getting yourself covered in resin, I'd claim on insurance. Accidental damage. Your excess is probably only 100 quid.
woozy-UK
Well-Known Member
that would be my preference (i have done fiber glassing before though on a small dinghy i had)
still awaiting a reply for the form i sent GJW
still awaiting a reply for the form i sent GJW
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I've had a couple of claims with gjw and they've paid in full with no quible so i should give them a call to make sure they've received your claim. I've always found their call staff very good to deal with.