[Public-list] rudder post hole fiberglass rot

[Mike Lehman]

Matthew,

When I did this job on my boat many years ago, I had the rudder off and I 
removed the stern tube. I re-installed the stern tube and bedded it in 5200. 
I filled the entire cavity and the 'fin' above the rudder. It took 2 entire 
tubes and over a month to cure. To make sure everything was aligned 
properly, I re-installed the rudder and the shoe at the bottom. I held the 
stern tube up and out of the way with a pair of vise grips. I climbed in and 
filled the area completely, then I slid the stern tube down into the 5200 
and is squirted out all over. After it cured (weeks), I climbed back in and 
trimmed it up and then re-glassed the tube to the hull making the little 
volcano looking build up around the tube. If you decide to do something 
similar...make sure you liberally smear a RELEASE AGENT on the rudder shaft, 
or you will never be able to turn it again! After mine cured, I grabbed the 
tiller and UH OH - I can't turn the rudder!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Had greased the 
shaft but it still stuck. Slowly I worked the tiller back-and-forth several 
times, increasing the distance a bit each time until I had normal movement - 
but it scared the sh*t out of me at first.



Mike Lehman
~~~_/)_/)~~_/)~~~




----Original Message Follows----
From: "Matthew Morey" <mwmorey at hotmail.com>
Reply-To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at alberg30.org>
To: public-list at alberg30.org
Subject: [Public-list] rudder post hole fiberglass rot
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 21:03:50 -0700

Thanks to all for the advice regarding the rudder.  Having the cutlass
bearing (baring?) replaced and the shaft and prop cleaned and checked out
too.  So far things are good and thanks again for all your help.  If
anyone's curious about what happened with the gudgeon and the middle thingy
that acts as a hinge, let me know, okay?

One thing I've discovered that is a problem is the back fin that runs just
below the rudder post and just above the rudder.  This is the bit of glass
added to the hull that makes the rudder's top flush to the hull.  It's
rotted pretty well through.  There's good fiberglass down the middle
thankfully, but that little fin is covered on both sides with something like
a giant blister.  My boat is from 70 and has almost know blisters--two or
three tiny little things.  I suspect water's been getting in through the
rudder post hole.  Since I have the rudder out, I wondered if anyone could
suggest a more or less permanent fix for this.  I can fix the exterior, but
does anyone have any idea about how to seal the inside of the rudder post
hole?

I'm dying to get back to my sailing and hope to finish with repairs and
painting this week...  What do you think?

mathew
Chance


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