Rusty Rudder

bhmcp · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004

I bought my 1988 Catalina 34 2 years ago and during winter storage noticed rust stains on the rudder. The yard drilled holes, drained some water and repatched before launch. Last winter I noticed the same stains. I drilled a few holes and water steadily dripped out. In the Spring, a fiberglass guy patched my holes. Several people have told me this is common, not to worry. Now I see the rust stains again. Am I living dangerously? I fear a catastrophic rudder failure which of course would happen during the worst of sailing conditions. Does this all mean it''s time to replace the rudder or is this routine draining and patching part of expected maintenance when a boat gets this old? Thanks for any help.

sailnaway · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004

The gyu who said don''t worry should have his crotch infested bu the flea''s of a thousand camels. My rudder did just that and snapped off in a gale while coming through a rocky cut. I only saved the boat by using my British Seagul Tied to my boarding ladderso I could turn the boat. What happens is Catalinas falt some boats the rudder shaft is fine but the plate welsed to it is cheep stainless or maybe not stainless at all the plate in mine was compleatly rusted out and eaten away.I tried to salvage the rudder but had to build a new one that was the real deal that could go to sea. NEW RUDDER TIME

sailnaway · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004

The guy who said don''t worry should have his crotch infested bu the flea''s of a thousand camels. My rudder did just that and snapped off in a gale while coming through a rocky cut. I only saved the boat by using my British Seagul Tied to my boarding ladderso I could turn the boat. What happens is Catalinas falt some boats the rudder shaft is fine but the plate welsed to it is cheep stainless or maybe not stainless at all the plate in mine was compleatly rusted out and eaten away.I tried to salvage the rudder but had to build a new one that was the real deal that could go to sea. NEW RUDDER TIME

sailnaway · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004

The guy who said don''t worry should have his crotch infested bu the flea''s of a thousand camels. My rudder did just that and snapped off in a gale while coming through a rocky cut. I only saved the boat by using my British Seagul Tied to my boarding ladderso I could turn the boat. What happens is Catalinas falt some boats the rudder shaft is fine but the plate welsed to it is cheep stainless or maybe not stainless at all the plate in mine was compleatly rusted out and eaten away.I tried to salvage the rudder but had to build a new one that was the real deal that could go to sea. NEW RUDDER TIME