Chrysler Sailors Forum

After a July 4th late night boat loading issue, I find myself refreshing my fiberglassing skills
The rudder has always had a seam where the two halfs joined. The joint was solid, but I beleave a little open that would allow water to drain.
This worked for me since the boat is dry docked.
As I'm making this repair, I wondering of I should seal the rudder up tight, or drill a couple weep holes to drain water.

My consern is that if I by chance water ends up inside, and freezes in the winter I'll be doing more glassing in the spring

What are your thoughts?

It might be easier to remove the rudder at the end of your season and store it indoors.

I'd make sure it was dried out well before glassing any water in or your right, a winter freeze could split it again. If you take it out between sailing bring it into the house or store in a sunny dry area. There isn't any foam in there on mine so it shouldn't take long...

Water could also be getting in from the holes that it pivot's on and the ropes to raise and lower are in. I'd be sure to seal it all before plugging the bottom drain leak. It's a nice weekend project of glassing and paint.

It could wait for Winter tho so don't lose any sailing or sleep over it!

I wish I could wait until winter for repair, but I bent my cheeks also.
Had to remove the rudder assembly to inspect for damage to the through hull and shaft bearings
Lucky for me hull and bearing look fine.
Local voc-tech body shop teacher straightened my cheeks and I'm handling the rudder repair. Filling and re-drilling piviot hole and repairing bottom (minus 2 inches that was lost)

What damaged the rudder? Let us learn from your mistake.

I would think that most of our C-22's rudders have scrapes and chuncks missing that if water can get in it will so I don't see why weep holes should hurt.

If you can shape the bottom edge so it will kick up if it hits something even going backwards. You can have it happen in the water. We have been at docks that the rudder hit and we didn't have the stern even close.
we were going to back the boat up to attach a motor.

Last winter I had my rudder removed and in the garage along with the boom, keeps them well protected. Getting ready to be painted.

Well just so you know you're not alone in that department, I have a beautiful mahogany ply rudder in my shop. Broken in half.

Been trying out the Cal 21 while I work on EE this summer, and I forgot to remove it while backing up into dry storage last week.

Ouch, and with a crowd. Thanks for sharing.

Humble pie!

Best when shared with friends!~
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