Re: catalina27-talk: Hull, Keel, Rudder Questions

[Harvey Rosenberg]

Hi Henry,
I looked at my previous post and considered a theory. All 3 items are related to a severe grounding.  You might take some of the bottom paint off around the areas of the gelcoat problems to see if the gelcoat is cracked.   The PO might have ignored this problem. You can grind these areas down and refill with epoxy.  Similarly, the PO might have repaired keel damage improperly.  Again, open up the problem so you can repair it right.
I think the rudder hangs out at with it's own weight, since you can drop the rudder by loosening the top fitting. So the rudder washer does serve a purpose when grounded.  There are 3 rudder makers I know of, Catalina, Booth and I think Foss.  You might ask them  if the rudder post can be straightened.   In replacing the rudder, you might ask the discussion groups if anyone has an old rudder. Some people have replaced them with Booth rudders.  Might look at the hurricane areas.
Good luck,
Harvey Rosenberg, 27TR, #6023, 1985, M-18, Stony Point, NY

------ Original Message ------
Received: Sun, 09 Apr 2006 10:35:37 PM EDT
From: "Henry Hubbard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To:
Subject: catalina27-talk: Hull, Keel, Rudder Questions

My Catalina 27 was hauled ten days ago with the intention of bottom paint and thru hull inspection and seacock replacement. When looking at the bottom and keel today I noticed

 

1) a few places which, evidently during starting to scrape, had chipped -  maybe the gelcoat? Where it was chipped, about as deep as a CD thickness or less, there is exposed fiberglass, with fibers evident. From the "This Old Boat" book I gather that these can be filled with polyester resin and then painted over with bottom paint. Does this sound right?

 

2) on the keel, about two-thirds of the way down on the side, there is a big crack that looks like plastic material - about a quarter inch thick -(fiberglass?) is separating from the material (metal? steel? lead?) underneath. It sounds hollow in an area about the size of two hands or so, but knocks like solid metal elsewhere. It looks like it's new. Is this something that may have been caused by setting it on the keel? Can anyone direct me to information on how to repair?

 

3) The rudder and shaft will move up and down so that the top of the rudder rubs the boat bottom, right at the very aft end, and there is evidence of wear where this has occurred. When the rudder is turned, the vertical travel stops befor the rudder near the shaft engages the bottom where the shaft enters. As the rudder hangs there is about one-half to three quarters of an inch of shaft showing and it has a rubber washer around the shaft about an eighth thick, which, in the current configuration, serves no purpose. What is supposed to stop/secure the rudder and shaft from vertical movement? Is there a spacer missing? Maybe the shaft is bent?

 

I would appreciate any commentary from those who may have knowlege in these areas.

 

Thanks,