Moisture in rudder

eckcn17 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

Hello,

I had moisture in the rudder of my pearson 31-2, and this fall I drlled a few holes in it to drain over the winter (suggestion of my surveyor). Just looking for suggestions as to the best product to use to fill them in this spring (I think he suggested 5200)? I am new to much boat repair so any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks again
Chris

Minnewaska · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

Aren't you more worried about damage to the structural interior of the rudder before you plug them up?

zz4gta · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

How much water came out? I had a bit of water in mine, drilled a small hole, let it drain, and filled w/ epoxy. Faired it, then barrier coat. No problems this year even with the repeated freeze/thaws this winter.

West 105/205 with 406 filler if I remember right.

eckcn17 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

Minnewaka- I really am just going by what the surveyor suggested, (older guy had been surveying for 30 yrs). He said he had done it several times in the past?
zz- I drilled five holes in different locations and maybe a few oz? drained out? & I have been letting it dry out all winter. There was only moisture on one side of the rudder. Thanks for the suggestion, that looks to be a good system to go with

Minnewaska · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

You're call, but if I saw actual water drain out from inside my rudder, I would be very concerned that the structural frame could be rusted or the core was softened and damaged. Worse yet, it may not be not fully dry and the damage just continues to happen while I'm offshore.

At the least, I would start by determining how the water entered in the first place. Drilling holes and draining has not healed the disease, only the symptom.

zz4gta · #6 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

Yes, Minn, the proper fix is rebuilding the rudder.
Rudder Repair

Might be a little more in depth than what the OP is looking for. If you plan to head 600+ miles offshore without a backup form of steering, one could be royally screwed. But most offshore sailors will carry an emergency rudder of some type if that failure should happen. Whale, container, etc. lots of goodies to hit in the ocean.

deniseO30 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

Correct me if i'm wrong .. it's when water is left IN the rudder and it freezes or becomes a slime of algae rust and water that destroys the structure. .

I don't know if there are any rudders that are dry on the inside. except maybe trailer boats. although that is something many of don't want to consider as possible.

Gary M · #8 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

The metal parts in the rudder should be SS, I would just seal it up with epoxy and go sailing. Did that once and no issues.

SailingWebGuy · #9 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

I'm no expert, but I took fellow SN'ers advice to remove any water damage that may be left in my rudder. When I opened it up, there was a lot of damp, rotten, smelly foam in there. The rudder had previously been draining for months...and there was still a lot of moisture inside.

SailingWebGuy · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-2011

P.S. Here is a pic of a huge horizontal crack in the rudder. I assume it was caused by freezing water inside. The crack was just below the rudder post inside the rudder.