23-2 Rudder Question

[EnviroGirl]

We are in search of a 23-2 Rudder. 1/3 of ours cracked and fell off on our last cruise.

 

[Loren Beach]

I am confused. Do you need a rudder or a keel?

 

[EnviroGirl]

Sorry we need a rudder. Our cracked in half vertically and we are now running on half a rudder.

 

[EnviroGirl]

The above picture is before she went in the water this season when my uncle, the boat’s previous, owner said that the crack was there 20 years ago when he got the boat.

 

[Loren Beach]

I am only an amateur at glass work, but I would just spend a couple days glassing over the rudder to be sure that the fore n aft parts do not seek a divorce. Well, maybe an extra day to two to dry it out and then grind back the wood on each side a ways.
When done, paint the whole thing with blue to try to match the hull color. Use something easy like a one-part epoxy paint.
I corrected the thread title also, and hope that you do not mind.

 

[EnviroGirl]

I am only an amateur at glass work, but I would just spend a couple days glassing over the rudder to be sure that the fore n aft parts do not seek a divorce. Well, maybe an extra day to two to dry it out and then grind back the wood on each side a ways.
When done, paint the whole thing with blue to try to match the hull color. Use something easy like a one-part epoxy paint.
I corrected the thread title also, and hope that you do not mind.

Thank you for the correction. I can’t even figure out how to edit my own response.

 

[EnviroGirl]

I am only an amateur at glass work, but I would just spend a couple days glassing over the rudder to be sure that the fore n aft parts do not seek a divorce. Well, maybe an extra day to two to dry it out and then grind back the wood on each side a ways.
When done, paint the whole thing with blue to try to match the hull color. Use something easy like a one-part epoxy paint.
I corrected the thread title also, and hope that you do not mind.

The kids and I went for a swim behind the boat Saturday and noticed half our rudder had fallen off. (They have already divorced one another.) We are either looking for a salvaged rudder from a derelict 23-2 or will have to have a new rudder fabricated.

 

[Christian Williams]

Looks like a replacement would be easy to make by any carpenter or handyman, if you're not inclined to do it yourself. You have the hardware.

It may be that the original rudder was made of two boards of teak, and that the joint failed. I would keep a wooden rudder out of the water, except when sailing.

Take what's left of it to a woodworker, with the picture of the original. I'd probably consider marine plywood, covered as Loren says with layers of fiberglass.

 

[Mark F]

I think Christian’s point about two boards is probably right. That crack is a suspiciously straight line. It would be an easy repair for a carpenter/handyman.

 

[Solarken]

We are in search of a 23-2 Rudder. 1/3 of ours cracked and fell off on our last cruise.

You can use what is left to build a better one as long as the post is good!

 

[Loren Beach]

You can use what is left to build a better one as long as the post is good!

Just to clarify, with a transom-hung rudder there is no "post." The pintles and gudgeons are the support means for the blade.

 

[Solarken]

Just to clarify, with a transom-hung rudder there is no "post." The pintles and gudgeons are the support means for the blade.

My mistake. I read 32-2. But you may still do the same thing.