EPO Rudders

So I picked up an H17 which came with EPO rudders. I don't think the rudders have ever been protected from the elements and the fibres are starting to show. Did a quick search to see if there was a way to restore them but couldn't find anything. Can they be painted or Gel Coated?

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Division 10, Fleet 185
Hobie 17 and Hobie 14

I basically followed this, but wasn't so fussy about the fine sanding:

http://www.thebeachcats.com/OnTheWire/h ... /tip29.htm

Be careful not to build the head up too much or you might have interference problems with the castings. (I think EPO heads are wider than plastic to begin with.) Also, I topcoat with rattle-can epoxy appliance paint for protection from the sun. Otherwise, if left exposed for too long, the epoxy will start deteriorating. The rattle-can is a cheap, easy way to touch up when needed as well. I have rudder covers now, so mine have been looking great for a very long time!

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mi'sippi

I picked up a used boat earlier this year with a similar issue. The boat is a 1990 and one side of each of the EPOs had been degraded and fibers were exposed (it must have always sat with the sun hitting the same side).

In any case, the repair was quite easy. I lightly sanded down the damaged area using 150 grit paper to knock off the exposed fibers. Then lightly sanded the entire side using 320 grit wet/dry paper. Then a quick wipe down with acetone to clean the side. Mixed up a batch of epoxy resin (I think the stuff I'm using is from MAS), brushed on a light coat and let it cure. Then finish sanded the entire blade by gradually increasing up to 600 grit paper. And last, finished the whole blade with a coat of polish.

Now they're totally smooth and in very good shape for 20 year old blades.

I'd stay away from gelcoat or any polyester based resins, they're likely to have bond issues with the (exoxy-based) EPO rudders. You can put a protective coat of paint on after the repair if you plan to leave the rudders outside uncovered.

sm

Im starting to think about improvements for spring and was wondering if anyone else had tried these rudders or if people that commented earlier had more to say.

BB

I roughed sanded mine with 120 grit then sprayed with black gel/duratec. 100% gel firrst coat, 25% duretec/gel second coat, 50% duretec/gel final coat. Sanded thru grit 350 -1000 compounded, buffed 3M heavy duty then 3 coats liquid glass. Shine like a black diamond. Over a year old now and still beautiful. Take them off rinse and place in covers after each use. Trailoring with rudders on the boat eggs out the bolt holes.

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ADDICTION
1989 HOBIE 18 SE/sx wings
HOBIE ALTER SIGNATURE MODEL