J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Rudder repair

This winter, it's time to take on the rudder repair. I have the cracked leading edge / right below gudgeon-pintle location with water ingress.

I recall threads about this and yet search doesn't seem to return anything specific about repair other than the recent rudder CAD thread.

Any tips/suggestions from folks out there? My gracious local dealer suggested drilling holes top & bottom and pouring acetone from top to bottom, then re-bonding...... hmmmm. My guess is that there are some more elegant, alternative tips/suggestions from those that have done it before.

Also - if anyone has a decent quality used rudder just dying to be sold, I'm open to discussing as long as it's in reasonably good shape.

Thanks!
- Jeff

Jeff,

Here is an old thread on the topic: https://j30.us/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3795/Rudder_Rebuild.html#Post3795

I have a used, class legal rudder available that is detailed in this link: https://j30.us/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11322/Re_J30_rudder_and_dodger_wante.html#Post11322

It is shown below being repaired after storm damage, and has been replaced with a new rudder. It is now fully functional and gelcoated, but no longer used.



It is sound as I drilled holes in the bottom about 5 years ago and let it dry over the winter. All I got was dry core. The holes were epoxy filled. I will sell it for $800 plus the shipping. My new rudder cost $2000 plus shipping. I could get packing material (bubble wrap) and build a cardboard container for shipping. It is considered "oversized" and would be approximately 80" x 20" x 4" packaged weighing approximately 80 pounds. There is a local Staples store (Zip code 02840) that is a UPS shipping drop-off and I could ship it from there. What I suggest is that you would prep-pay the shipping with UPS, or another carrier you choose to the address you desire.

You would probably want to epoxy fill and redrill to match the holes in your mounting hardware, unless by chance the have the exact pattern as my hardware. You also would probably sand and apply matching gelcoat for your boat colors.

If you're interested in this, let me know.

Thanks Bill - appreciate the pointer to the thread. I will think about the rudder and get back to you. 10 lbs? Hmmm...

I keep wanting to dive in and fix mine but this feeble voice says, "... you'll never get it done with everything else you have to do...". ;-) But, I'm an optimist... We'll see.

Thanks again - will get in touch and let you know.
- Jeff