Welding rudder castings???

Hi, the screw/pivot holes where the rudder cams attach to the castings are elongated and cause the cam to be sloppy. I havent reassembled the rudders or sailed my project H16 yet to feel the effects of this.

Will this cause any disfuction in the cam operations or rudder locking etc?

What material are the castings made of? Can it be welded and redrilled?

thanks!

A loose cam may continue to wear the casting and cause function issues. The cam "sister screw" type replacement pins may accelerate the problem. I suggest using the original flair pins when possible. They have a better fit.

I don't know about welding, but believe you can. I have seen a guy tack weld the corner castings to the crossbars. Bad idea by the way... caused the crossbar to fail, but the casting was welded, so it must be possible to fill and re-drill for the cam pin.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks Matt,

My cams have the sister screw type pins....

I haven't really looked for the stock flair pins in the catalog,,,

Can you direct me with a link to them...part number etc so I can order from the local hobie dealer?

Any idea on the material of the rudder casting? Alum or mag?

Millerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

?

Castings are aluminum.

sm

Thanks SRM, I thought they were alum but then a coworker said it was magnesium alloy...confusing me...

anyways, now Im sure my friend at the machine shop can weld the holes, then Ill redrill with the drill press and put new pins in.....

any idea on the stock pins part number, cost, diameter etc????

The al castings are not great for welding to. I think you will cause more damage than is already done.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Why would welding these holes cause more damage?

I understand welding heat may weaken the alum but after seeing the quality welding done on my pylons...I am confident the casting welds will be as good.

Depending on the alloy of aluminum used to make the castings you may create a larger, uglier hole. Different aluminum alloys (especially castings) behave very differently when they have that much heat applied to such a small area.

Also, if you don't melt a hole in the casting you very possibly could warp the casting from the heat.

I would look at drilling out the holes to a larger size and putting a bushing in place. You will probably have to make a custom bushing to accept the sister screws for the rudder cam. you an epoxy or adhere the bushings to the castings.

If you are prepared to buy a second set of rudder castings try welding. you may get lucky and it will work. On the other hand you may not.

Whatever you decide, please let us know how it worked out.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO