Wooden rudder repair

[fisherman]

Interesting job today, an old old wood rudder, 5ft x 2ft, slab of oak 3 in thick for the blade, transom hung. the front of the blade, the balanced part, had gribble so it had to come off. So how to attach a 6 x 3in slab on the front edge? We couldn't drill through the 2ft wide blade. We drilled it down at an angle for the 10mm studding, screwed that in to the wood, then bent it upright and dropped the new wood piece on and tightened it down, glued as well. Bit unorthodox but a good solid job.....I think.

 

[Refueler]

Interesting ... trying to visualise the studding and its use ....

A method I've seen done on similar is to cut out the damaged with inclined cut ..... creating an elongated dove-tail joint. New piece is cut to fit slightly oversize. The insert is then carefully planed to be a tight fit into the item. Use of a mallet ... but care to not mark or damage. Part then removed once found to be correct. Lashings of suitable glue used when fitting again.
Once set - drilled through to set wood dowels in with those also glued.

 

[fisherman]

If you picture the rudder laid down, stood on its back edge, and the front of the blade cut off, about 6in x 3in x 30in. We had not enough meat top and bottom for a dovetail. I think its possible to buy a bolt which is large woodscrew one end and machine screw the other, that would have been nice, but no time. The owner suggested just driving s/s bar in, through new into old, plus glue and straps on the side. I offered the bent studding idea which we realised would be much more sound, basically a hook inot the old wood. There is a large steel strap at the bottom, across new and old wood, for the pintle into the skeg.

hanger bolt, here it is:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-m...QuMzIifQ==&s=diy&sr=1-6&ts_id=1938498031&th=1