Rust spots on Rudder - What do I do?

[sharmajm]

I have a 1994 Hunter Horizon 273. Since removing all the original paint and copper coating the hull, I have see rust spots gradually appear on the rudder. I have drilled a couple of holes at the bottom of the rudder to check for water ingress, but nothing came out so I am at a quandary.

I do not know whether to grind down each spot to clean metal and re-glass, or drop the rudder and take it to pieces.

Apart from the spots the rudder in great condition.

Any help gratefully received.

 

[Tranona]

They look like they are in line with fastenings through the tangs, although I am not sure why there should be any fastenings there at all. Would be useful to get a drawing of the actual construction first before deciding what to do, although cutting a section out around a couple of adjacent ones would not be difficult, nor difficult to repair afterwards.

 

[JimC]

It would be worth contacting Lauren Marine at Willments Shipyard at Woolston

http://www.britishhunter.co.uk/page4.html

They are the present owners of Hunters and offer spares (including rudders) They should be able to tell you how the rudders are made and what your rust spots might mean.