[Public-List] Rudder repairs, wood strip

[Rachel]

On Jul 16, 2008, at 12:30 PM, Randy Katz wrote:
>  I am really curious as to why the wood was there. It
>     was neatly laid in. I wondered if it were there in order to
>     achieve some sort of fine balance for the rudder or in order to
>     make an easy attachment point (why? for what?).

I would say that the wood was laid up in the mold (there are matching 
grain marks in the gelcoat) in order to keep the clear channel needed 
so that the nuts could be put on the ends of the brass "fingers" that 
are part of the rudder skeleton structure.  Then these same strips were 
(conveniently) used to fill the slots after the nuts were installed.  I 
don't believe they fulfill any structural or balance purpose.

Rachel
#221