A certain family member who will remain unnammed dropped not one buth both rudders onto the pavement while setting up and putting in this weekend. Both rudders are cracked in the flat plane of the rudder, at the bottom. I am considering glassing them up and fairing them out best I can just to use for "beater" rudders and spare new set the abuse until I start my racing program. Not a good idea or is this a viable "crusing for now" repair? Sure it costs some speed, but I can't imagine that this would be that bad of a stop gap repair for inland lake cruising only.
Comments, and ideas appreciated. Please look at the attached .jpg for clarification.
P.S. No I did not keel haul my wife, I just made her drive while I lazed out on the trap for once. She did good in 10 to 12. Drove a beat wonderfully. Looks like I have a light air driver ![[Linked Image]](/forums/images/icons/smile.gif){kind=icon}
You should be able to bring them back to the correct shape. In fact, I would say get repair 'em and put the money you saved toward your next set of sails. Both my rudders and my boards have had quite a bit done to them, and really, it's the least of my worries!
You might lose speed, but does it really matter, who knows?
If you're like me, you'll lose a lot more boat lengths picking the wrong side of the course or blowing your tacks.
Sail fast,
Tim J.
Get them repaired. If repaired properly they will be better than new. Sounds like about $250 repair job to me. Just guessing. So if you can do it yourself you could do it for probably $25. Things you need to repair it.
1. Dual Action Air powered sander ( and access to a large compressor). 100 grit paper should do it.
2. Fibreglass tape.
3. Resin and catalyst.
4. Gelcoat.
5. PVA.
6. Lots of different grit sandpaper and a sanding block. 220, 400, 800.
7. Time.
Good Luck,
Mike Hill
H20 #791