Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Snapping a rudder blade on our previous boat still haunts us. Fortunately we had a spare blade on board which allowed us to get out of a nasty situation and to continue our cruise.
Our present boat did not have one. So, in spite of Covid 19 restrictions a close-by lumber store is still open and has a good supply of hardwood. The blade dimensions were kindly provided by the new owner
For our new rudder blade I choose 2 1"thick by 6" wide by 7ft long red oak planks to be joined using a biscuit joint and epoxy glue for added strength
Here are some illustrations
Henk & Johanna "Floating", a few off your "barnacles". "Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016) "Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018) "Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023) "Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)
Thanks Wayne for providing the dimensions of the rudder... I've now epoxy sealed the wood. Today I will lightly sand and paint it with a base coat followed by 2 coats of white paint.
Henk & Johanna "Floating", a few off your "barnacles". "Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016) "Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018) "Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023) "Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)
That's a beautiful red oak masterpiece! It should function the same as the store-bought version, and it's important to include in your cruisers' emergency equipment.
When my original C-25 rudder split along the seam, was repaired by me with lots of fiberglass on the outside, and a year later snapped off 40 miles from my marina in a gale, I needed a rudder to get my boat back home. I ordered a new balanced rudder, and in the meantime bolted two 1" x 12" pine boards together after cutting a "rudder shape". No shaping of the leading edge. Epoxy paint. Pintles attached. Motored and sailed the boat back. After the ugly thing sat for 5 years in the shed, I recovered the 12 long bolts, washers, and nuts for other uses.
A spare rudder seems extravagant until you need it in an emergency!
JohnP 1978 C25 SR/FK "Gypsy" Mill Creek off the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay Port Captain, northern Chesapeake Bay
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.