Rudder splitting

[Guest]

Hello all and yes it's me again.

This time it's my rudder. Is a transom hung rudder on a long keel. After a night in Alderney in a NE5 the shock from the tiller begin lashed has caused the rudder to split and crack. The crack is on the leading edge and i from the top for about 2ft.

I can see the two halves move apart when the rudder is used in strong seas. I know i wil have to take the rudder off to repair but any advice out there.

I guess i will have to split it in two and then go from there.

Do i just give up and pay for it to be fixed.....not that i can afford it really...!

 

[JamesS]

Not knowing how thick the timber is its difficult but if I were intent on doing a repair I would drill horizontally through the rudder (from the leading to the aft edge) and insert stainless steel studding straight through the lot to bolt the two bits together. Repeat the process every 4 to 6 inches for the length of the crack. If you can get the timber dry enough then use wood glue as well to form a seal.

The tricky bit is drilling the horizontal holes in a straight line.

Alternatively........ depending on rudder dimensions, try fitting a couple of stainless steel stocks used on dinghy rudders to hold the whole thing together.

 

[Guest]

I forgot to metion that it's a GRP rudder that is made up of two halves and it's splitting down the join.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Hi Mike,
You have nothing to loose by having a go at repairing the rudder, even if you only manage to get it to the stage that a professional would have to strip it to carry out the required repair, you will have saved the cost of that preparation.
A fibreglass rudder is not too difficult to repair, remove the rudder and make a template of the shape, grind the split section till the crack is ground out, if it looks like it has let go around the rudder stock and you are not confident you can repair it you can still take it to a professional.
A complete rebuild may be in order depending on what you find starting the repair you will know what has failed and the work you do may reduce the cost of repairs by others.
What ever you do don’t put it off, the loss of a rudder at sea is not a lot of fun.
Avanicesail old salt oz.....

 

[charles_reed]

It sounds as though the tang from the rudder post is working inside the two halves of the rudder.

Whilst the 2 suggestions made so far might well correct the immediate problem to be utterly safe you need to take the rudder apart and check that there is no damage to the tang.
This is usually a bend in the post or a ss strap welded round the bottom.

Split the rudder blade using a power fretsaw, check and correct the tang, thoroughly dry out the rudder halves before epoxying them together under warm dry conditions, leaving the clamps on for at least 24 hours.

Good luck