Rough cost to replace a mild steel rudder?

[steve yates]

Bethfran (bradwell 18, 6m boat) has a mild steel rudder, which I assume was galvanised at one time, it is now flaking off.
I'm wondering about using the rudder as a template for someone to make up a new one?
And what sort of price a replacement in mild steel would be, or if I should look at another material?
It has bent before in big seas, so wouldn't mind if I could find something stronger, though not sure the cost would rule that out.
Thx.

 

[DinghyMan]

Theres a dimensioned drawing on the www.bradwell18.org.uk website showing 5mm steel.

Have a look at https://www.lasermaster.co.uk/easy-order and pop in the overall dimensions and you can get quotes for various thicknesses of steel and stainless (sit down before you select 316 stainless...)

They will give you an instant estimated cost as laser cutting is based on actual length cut so send them the plan for an accurate cost. I've used them a good few times and always found the service very good.

Looking at the design you could add stiffeners down the blade or just going up a mm or two could make it stiffer, and heavier.

 

[steve yates]

for future searchers, lasermaster produced very competitive quotes.

 

[peteK]

It would be easy job to do yourself,just buy a piece of sheet steel or stainless steel and cut it out with a thin disc in angle grinder.

 

[rogerthebodger]

This is the internal structure of the stainless rudder I made for my self steering gear. Its a similar size of yours but gas a aerofoil shape and then covered with 2mm thick stainless welded and pressure tasted. The aerofoil shaped were laser cut at a local company.