[alberg30] Rudder problem

[Douglas Wight]

From: Doug Wight
          Owlet, #603    
Peter:
I thought that I was the only one with the very problem that you have described.  After I purchased my boat (without a survey) I very quickly learned that there was water gathering in the bilge which had to be pumped out every day and whenever I was under sail or power it took on considerably more water.  With a strong lantern I could see a steady stream of water running down from around the rudder stock gland.  When Owlet was lifted onto the hard in the fall and the rudder removed the entire bronze fitting had to be cut out and subsequently re-glassed in.
When my hull was laid up initially there must have been a poor bonding of the hull to the gland.  It was a big job and I am quite thankful that I removed almost everything out of the boat because there was one deuce of a mess of fiber-glass grindings. 
It is wonderful the things that you don't learn untill after you have closed a deal. It was then that I learned that my engineer friend, from who I purchased the boat, went down to the marina every day to pump Owlet out.  He had signed a legal affidavit that amongst several items listed the hull was in sound condition and there were no known problems.  He had sold the boat following open heart surgery and my better half would not hear of me pursuing the matter through legal channels.  Always get a survey and don't rely on a friends word.  
Let me know how you make out.  Regards, Doug.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Peter Hay 
  To: alberg30 at onelist.com 
  Sent: May 4, 1999 7:43 PM
  Subject: [alberg30] Rudder problem


  From:  Peter Hay
            Rubicon  #384
            phay at netcom.ca
   
  Just put my boat in the water.  Discovered that I have a leak where the rudder shaft exits the inside of the hull.  My boat has Edson steering so the quadrant is attached to the shaft just above the point where the shaft exits the hull into the boat.  When the quadrant turns a crack opens up (very slight) in the glass where the shaft exits.  An intermittent stream comes in but stops (or slows) once pressure on the steering is removed.  

  I guess I have two questions.  1)  Will an underwater epoxy allow me to do a temporary repair until haul out in the fall (I have never used it).  
   
                                              2)  Does anyone have any idea of whether this might be a structural problem.  I am assuming that I can do a permanent fix after haul out by grinding down the glass and building the area up again. 
   
  The shaft is fine where it exits the cockpit, so the upper part of the shaft is well supported.  The lower pintles, etc. are fine.  
   
  Unfortunately I knew about the leak when I bought the boat, but I thought that the water was simply coming up the shaft.  Observation (albeit late) has now taught me to not take anything for granted.
   
  Hope someone has some ideas.
  Thanks
  Peter
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