Rudders- Pin cracking deck

On my 83' 16 there are cracks on the deck around the hole that allows the rudder pin through. I am concerned that stresses on the rudder assembly, mainly the rudder pin, could possibly cause further cracking and open up a spot for water to access the interior of the hull. Would it be best to cut of the portion of the deck around the rudder pin? Is there another method that would prolong this area of the deck? What do I fill the cracks with? Any advice on this matter would be much appreciated. The cracks are not bad right now and I do not believe that it is allowing any water in the hull, but I want to do something to it to make sure that there isn't any potential to harm the boat.
If I've mis-used any terminology please correct me. I'm still learning my way around this amazing craft.
James

A "V" can be cut to remove the cracked material if you're really concerned about the looks. It won't cause any leaks. The cracks are usually caused by leaving the rudders on when trailering the boat. The bouncing will cause cracks in the lip and accelerate wear on the rudder pins and gudgens.

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Ok. Thanks alot. I never thought about the effect that trailering would have on the rudders. Do you take yours off when you trailer your boat? I wouldn't mind doing it if it is better for the boat.
James

Hi James,

Grind out the V as suggested, it is not a structural change.

Trailing with the rudders on is OK. We preferred not to only they make the boat just that much longer. It is astounding how many idiots will tuck their cars right up between your hulls, at 75mph+. Having rudders seems to invite even closer "drafting" options to people with the numbers '8' or '3' (with angel wings) on their vehicles - if you know what I mean

So a little off subject but about trailing:

We built hangers (using a little angle-iron) for our trailer signal lights, held in place with the rudder pins which put the signal light up high and in the face of drivers behind you. You have to run a ground wire to the lights as well as the regular signal wires, but I had a lot fewer tail-gaters with these.

I have also seen a simple contraption designed to hold trailer-lights hanging under the rudders. That seems like a good idea too for someone like myself who really has become too lazy to pop the rudders off

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

Thanks for the advice. That seems like a good idea to put the lights in a more "in your face" kind of location. Fortunately, I haven't had to many people ride behind me too close. I'll usually take the backroads to the few locations I can sail. (I haven't been brave enough to take it to the coast yet, mostly small lakes) I'd definately like to prolong the life of my boat and parts, especially since I am a low-budget sailor so I probably will start taking them off when I trailer the boat any real distance. Thanks for all of ya'lls advce.
James

I do. As you've got an older boat without the easy to breakdown rudder assembly, you can take them off as a single unit and fold them up inside a boat box. When I had my 16 I'd unbolt the rudders from the upper castings and put them into rudder bags.

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Hobie1616 wrote:
As you've got an older boat without the easy to breakdown rudder assembly, you can take them off as a single unit and fold them up inside a boat box.

I'm sure this is probably a dumb question. Do I take off the entire rudder assembly or just unbolt and take off the rudders? Sorry for all of the questions but I am a newbie and so far this forum has been my only outlet for sound advice, it had been trail and error up to this point. Too bad ya'll weren't there the first time I stepped the mast and didn't atach the shrouds. javascript:emoticon(':oops:') Needless to say, after quite a jar in my arms from the falling mast and a new mast base , I quickly learned a valuable lesson. Luckily the mast is still straight and I didn't do any real damage. I'm just glad it happened in my back yard and not near a crowded boat ramp.

By the way, thank you and all the others for ya'lls posts on this topic and my delam problem.
James



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Pull both rudder pins and the whole assembly is free.

To make packing easy and reduce things getting banged up unbolt the upper castings from the rudders first. Then remove the pins to take the rudders off the boat. Put them into rudder bags to reduce damage while transporting.

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