Hello,

Since this is my first post, I'll introduce myself here with a few questions. If this thread would be more appropriate under Technical Help, I'll move over there for further discussion.

I would like some advice and input on an early G-Cat project (3 digit sail number). PO dismantled boat about 7 years ago for refit/rebuild which was never completed. Other than the hulls still attached to the crossbeams, all other pieces available are unmarked and loose.

Both rudders had ‘snapped’ in half and I was told this occurred while sailing. However, the port rudder mount is cracked at an old weld repair.



Do G-Cat rudders break that easily while sailing? Is this a common trait of G-Cats or would some type of non-sailing accident had to have happened to the boat?

The rudders feel extremely light weight to me, but I have no experience with them so I do not know how heavy they should feel .

Damon has been kind enough to send the G-Cat Rigging Manual to me as a pdf file. Once I can have it printed larger, I should be able to read the small text and noted drawings to identify the pieces that are supplied with the boat.

Thanks fellow G-Cat owners!

I’m looking forward to hearing from you,
AJ



Edited by BadKitty on Mar 27, 2012 - 08:46 PM.

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AJ
Barefoot 12 Proa Outrigger
Coastal NC, USA
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I'm afraid I don't know much about the G-Cat, so I can't answer your question directly. Structurally, I can come up with two explanations for that break. The first is if something hit the tiller arm just forward of the gudgeons (say if a mast came down on it). But I'd expect to see damage to the transom if that was the case.
The other explanation is if there was too much load on the rudders at some point and it snapped.

Cast aluminum can be a PITA to weld. Depending on how the previous work was done, the weld could've wound up weaker than the original casting, so it would be likely to crack at the weld rather than somewhere else. If you can find someone experienced in welding cast aluminum (auto shops come to mind), they can probably give you a better idea of what the patient's prognosis is, and might be able to give you an idea whether this is likely to happen again.

Tom

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Tom Benedict
Island of Hawaii
P-Cat 18 / Sail# 361 / HA 7633 H / "Smilodon"
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Quote

Do G-Cat rudders break that easily while sailing?

Any Boat can break rudders

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Is this a common trait of G-Cats or would some type of non-sailing accident had to have happened to the boat?

Not a more common trait than for any other boat... and the hobie 16 nylon rudders are probably more prone than any other modern cat

There is a lot of load on rudders / centerboards when under way. I have been on several boats (including a g-cat) when the forces on rudders snap them in 1/2 (while sailing).

Alum castings often crack. again the forces are large... they also often "interact" with shallows and it is pretty normal for them to develop cracks. I have gone through several castings for my past 2 boats.

Hans (founder of g-cat) no longer casts rudder parts. They're made of kevlar/epoxy and pulled from a mold. G-cats are known for casting failure at that part of the bracket.

Easiest/cheapest fix is to have a good, local alunimum welder clean up and re-weld your parts. If you want to spend more money, message me privately and I'll put you in touch with Hans.

I sent you a private message check your inbox

I just got a G-Cat 5.0. Everything is there, tramps are good, rigging is good, mast has been welded at the base. Looks like it had some vertical cracks. The repairs look very professional and are probably stronger than original. Sails are a little rough and the boom gooseneck was broken. Think I found a suitable replacement from another boom though. Was going to take it out yesterday but too windy.

How is your restore coming? Is your boat a 5.0 or 5.7? Let me know if you need any detailed pics of certain areas or rigging help.

I'm thinking next spring I'll repaint my hulls and rudders. Probably need to fix some corrosion holes on the boom too.