On Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:35:43 -0000, Justin C
wrote:

I've looked at a boat today, and the broker mentioned that the only
problem of which he is aware is that there has been water ingress to the
rudder. This is a long-keeled boat with the rudder attached aft - top
and bottom - to the keel; the kind that just has a small opening for the
propeller. The boat is of solid GRP construction - no sandwich or core,
though I'm guessing that, in the case of the rudder, it's not just a
void.

Has anyone here experience of water in the rudder? What are the
implications of this happening?

Thank you for comments and suggestions. Any references to online
material will also be gratefully received.

Justin.

I ran over a coral head some years ago and ripped the bottom third off
the rudder, thus necessitating the rebuilding of a foam cored rudder.
There was evidence of long term water ingress in the stock and the
steel plate reinforcement which adds stiffness to the foam.

The "fiberglass guy" said that it was very common to find water in
foam core rudders as it was nearly impossible to make the joint around
the rudder stock totally water tight.

I suspect that essentially all composite rudders that have been use
for any length of time probably have some water in them.

In my rudder the stock was 4 inch thick-wall tubing and the
reinforcing plate was stainless so the presence of the water did no
significant harm to the rudder structure.

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)