Three Rudder-based Q's from a newbie

Hi guys,

So I got my first boat (a 10 year old Hobie 16), and have loved sailing it for the last 6 months. However, it's now time to give it some TLC. I'm based in Hong Kong, so it's left on the beach with 60 other boats, but I don't have access to a shed/workshop, so my options are somewhat limited.

1. Rudder blades (original white ones) - chipped and scratched from general abuse. I've taken them off - does anyone know what materials can be used to repair these dents and repaint them?

2. Rudder casing - after removing the blades, I took the clevis pins out of the bar in the rudders - but the bar seems stuck - should I just hammer this out?

3. Rudders screwed into transom - most screws are pretty loose, but some are really jammed tight. They don't look corroded, so it might be a glue used. Any one have any idea how I could get these loose, other than brute strength?

Thanks guys!

There is a recent discussion here on this forum about frozen rudder pins. Scroll down to "can't get rudder pins out". I wouldn't hammer them on the boat. You might have to saw them off first and then try to drive them out. If your boat has been in salt water you may never get them out. One of mine was totally fused and, after trying everything, I ended up throwing the casting away.

It depends - if they are the plastic rudders, then there's really nothing to be done. Nothing sticks to them.

If they are the fiberglass "racing rudders", then conventional fiberglass repair techniques will be appropriate.

How do you tell the difference? Fiberglass rudders will have a mold part line that's a different color along the edges and you may see fibers sticking out of the dings.


Like sunvista said, be very careful about hammering these out on the boat. A combination of heating, penetrating oil and persuasion (hammering) may be required. If all else fails, cut the pin and take it back to the shop.


If they aren't loose, then why do you want to take them out? If you shear off the heads (the end result of brute force), you will have a serious mess on your hands. You don't want to go there.

Squirt some LocTite on the loose screws and put them back in.

Hey, I was the poster of the cant get rudder pins out. My solution was really simple in that I discovered that a long drill bit extension bar for a cordless drill is the perfect size (diameter) to fit in the gudgeons and casing whilst still being on the outside edges of the pins. Hammering this bottom to top cleaned the pins out without cutting. Will need new pins afterwards however

_________________
1985 Prindle 16

Here's a shot of one of the rudders.



This is fibreglass, right?

Right. Grind all that loose stuff off and build up the tip with chopped fiberglass and polyester resin. Spray with gel coat if you want it to look pretty.

First repair job done: Rudders sanded back, filled with gelcoat, spray painted - thanks for the tips guys.