Rudder Stuffing and rolling epoxy

[cutterorient]

Since the boat is out of the water and I am doing all sorts of stuff I figured I would replace the flax in the rudder post exit. The female portion is FRP and the male portion is brass, very green, and really stuck. I removed the two nuts for tightening but cannot get the male portion of the assembly out to get to the flax.

Before I start pounding or prying, which I am reluctant to do since 1/2 of the assembly is frp, any thoughts / experience with this. There must be a simple trick I do not know.

Also, anyone know how to prevent those annoying little bubbles when rolling on epoxy? I am useing west foam rollers. Thanks.

[paulk]

Good idea, replacing the flax packing. We found out we needed it done on the second leg of an overnight race, with water shooting out of the rudder post into the bilge every time we came down a wave. Knowing what kind of boat you have might give people a better idea how to answer your "how to" question.

For the epoxy bubbles, first it's important not to stir air into the epoxy mixture in the first place. To help remove bubbles once you have them, there's a ridged plastic roller that is used. It presses down harder on the fabric and squeezes out the bubbles in situations where a foam roller would simply encapsulate them in more epoxy, making it harder for the bubble to pop.

[Greenflash35]

Hia be sure to by extra flax and cut it at a forty five degree angle. May dry bilges be with you.

[cutterorient]

Its a Mason 43. Is there anything I can shoot in there to loosen things up?