A couple of rudder thoughts to add to this discussion. One is that the early C&Cs, like the original 1971 rudder on my 30, used mild steel for the webbing on the SS rudder post. Once water gets in there and the steel rusts, you can add rust expansion to the ice expansion to destroy the thing - which it most definitely did - weeping rusty water along the split open seam. I replaced the rudder with a glass shell/polyester putty filler, all-stainless internal structure with no welds (by press fitting 1/2” SS round bar sections of appropriate length through holes spaced around 6” apart along the solid SS shaft). I know this one will never fail as long as I can keep the water out to prevent ice expansion. To do that, I ground a trough/groove of about 1/4" in the fiberglass around the shaft where it enters and filled it with 5200 for flexibility to deal with expansion/contraction. This was about 20 years ago and the rudder is showing no signs of anything. I must say that it's REALLY nice to not even think about the integrity of one's rudder when it’s rough out there. I also have tiller steering, so I also never worry about anything in the steering system. I saved my worrying time for other things, like the keel falling off or plowing into a submerged container.
I’m fortunate with my 39 that Bill Coleman was the previous owner. Since he a stainless steel native, he designed and built a very nice all-stainless rudder for his (now my) boat. I sure was surprised when I tapped the rudder with my sounding hammer to check its integrity when I first looked at the boat - gong. Hadn’t seen that before! Thanks for the nice rudder Bill! Rich Klajnscek, P.Eng. 30-9 Ginkgo, Gloucester, MA 39-59 Sea Fox, Hamilton, ON > On Apr 25, 2021, at 12:35 PM, Dave S via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > Interesting thought. Some discussion here: > > https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/stailess-steel-rudder.27641/ > <https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/stailess-steel-rudder.27641/> > > Dave > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Apr 25, 2021, at 11:34 AM, Joel Delamirande via CnC-List >> <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: >> >> >> I wonder how much the cost difference redoing >> A foam rudder and stainless rudder >> The stainless idea I saw it on YouTube >> Now there sailing the Bahamas and they love it >> >> On Sun, Apr 25, 2021 at 11:30 AM G Gao via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com >> <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote: >> Thx Joe. Unfortunately I am not equipped to do this...need to start >> preparing the admiral to approve a big budget! >> >> On Sun, Apr 25, 2021 at 10:08 AM Joe Della Barba via CnC-List >> <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote: >> I saw a boat that was only about 3 years old with a rudder split from ice. >> Some people have holes drilled in their rudders at the bottom they drill out >> in the fall and then epoxy closed before launch. My boat is not out of the >> water in the winter, so I have not had this issue. >> >> A buddy with a C&C 35 MK II had rudder issues and brought the rudder home as >> a project. He managed to cut a big section of skin off, scoop out all the >> wet foam, fill the space with an epoxy mix, and epoxy the skin back on. >> >> Also note you can just buy a new rudder 😉 >> >> >> >> >> >> Joe Della Barba >> >> Coquina C&C 35 MK I >> >> Kent Island MD USA >> >> >> >> >> >> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with >> the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use >> PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> <https://www.paypal.me/stumurray> Thanks - Stu >> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with >> the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use >> PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> <https://www.paypal.me/stumurray> Thanks - Stu >> -- >> Joel Delamirande >> >> www.jdroofing.ca <http://www.jdroofing.ca/> >> >> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with >> the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use >> PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - >> Stu > Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with > the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use > PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu
Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu
