I have a Mongtomery 17 that I am taking down to the Texas Gulf Coast (post Ike!) to sail in the bays and eventually will do some short gulf passages from port to port. I just recently took the ASA 101 - 106 courses and had a blast learning all the navigation and offshore skills.
The boat is in great shape, but the rudder was modified when I bought her to a swing type rudder in case of grounding or while anchoring in shallow water. The boat had been sitting in a harbor for quite a few months before I had her so the wood of the rudder was split and in rough external shape. I epoxied all cracks and fiberglassed the whole thing and have gotten several years of fantastic lake sailing out of her. I wouldn't mind trusting the rudder in the bay under good weather conditions, but in a blow or offshore, where conditions can be unpredictable, I want a more stout single piece rudder. Does anyone know where I can purchase a rudder that's solid from tiller to bottom? or know of plans, or could give me some ideas of what type wood I could craft one from? I've built three wooden kayaks so am familiar with building/fibergalssing but don't know all the ins/outs of building a rudder.. Thanks for any help you may be able to give! George Johnson San Antonio, TX Montgomery 17 # 600 "Sancha" _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
