Leading edge of my rudder is showing its age

[ChicagoNewport27]

I was sitting on my trusty stool pondering the issue with my Newport 27's propeller support thingie, and while I was down there I took a closer look at the leading edge of my rudder...

Oy vey!

The leading edge of my rudder has taken a real beating over the years!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/4...6b19e607_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/4...36417560_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/221/4...a7fa16b5_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/4...6ba1ef0d_b.jpg

I drilled a few exploratory drain holes as Don Casey suggests, and I see no evidence that water has penetrated the core. So, it seems to just be some frayed matting.

Any advice on how I go about fixing the worn leading edge?

Thanks in advance!

[sailingdog]

Sand it.. Cover it with a couple of new layers of fiberglass and then cover and fair with thickened epoxy. Then paint with bottom paint. For additional abrasion resistance, use a couple layers of kevlar and then a layer of fiberglass. Don't use kevlar by itself, as you won't be able to sand it to get a smooth finish... kevlar doesn't sand nicely.

Epoxy is better than Polyester/vinylester resin for this because it is stronger and more resistant to osmosis.

[Freesail99]

Epoxy would also go a long way in keeping water out of your rudder. I just epoxied and put 12 inch Fiberglas "tape" along the edge of my rudder and faired thickened epoxy as sailing dog said. Wet out the fiberglass well and use and old credit card to smooth out air bubbles.... It was not a hard job to do but the prep work takes time, as you need to sand grind away the lose fiberglass. I also like to remove as much paint as I can.
ChicagoNewport27, I want to know where you bought that folding bench ? Been looking for one.

[ChicagoNewport27]

Freesail: The folding bench was just an old directors chair that I removed the back and armrests from. Very easy to do (it takes about 5 minutes of your time and a philips screwdriver) and the resulting folding stool is very handy!

[Valiente]

Sand it mostly fair, but leave enough rough spots for the new glass to "grip" to.

Use fibreglass tape here. The Kevlar idea is good.

When your glassing is done (and I think you might want to put a Kevlar strip down the centerline and then fibreglass tape strips "lapped" to either side), consider applying a two part epoxy barrier coat or two over the entire job. Then anti-foul over the whole thing.

I have found that it pays to double up the anti-foul coats on the 'leading edges" of the keel, rudder and bow.

Good luck...It's a messy, tedious job, but the results are gratifying.

If you can take off the rudder and get the work area flat on a bench with vises, the job is a lot easier and quicker, because under a boat is typically a cool spot whereas doing this in a garage means you can use lights to warm the epoxy so it kicks faster. Also, a LOT fewer drips and "tape slide" if you've got the consistency a little off.

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by ChicagoNewport27

I was sitting on my trusty stool pondering the issue with my Newport 27's propeller support thingie...

It's called a "strut". The pointy end of the boat is the "bow" and the big stick is the "mast".

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Fstbttms

It's called a "strut". The pointy end of the boat is the "bow" and the big stick is the "mast".

And the big white things that go up the big stick are sails...

[hellosailor]

Freesail-
You can find folding stools and seats like that at Campmor-Your Quickest Link to the Outdoors, if you don't mind black aluminum tubing with nylon tops. Several shapes and sizes, $15-20 or so.

[Freesail99]

Thanks Hellosailor, it will make the sanding of the bottom go faster ......

[jr438234606]

Where can you purchase Kevlar?