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T O P I C R E V I E W
cat25
Posted - 01/31/2022 : 08:14:45 I might have some water at the bottom of my rudder. I used a moisture meter, not a marine one and it registered high. What is the opinion of drilling a hole near the bottom? then I figured I will epoxy it closed later on. thanks for any ideas.
3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Voyager
Posted - 02/02/2022 : 21:55:52 Ken, I noticed that your boat is a newer model with a wing keel. Nice! I’m in CT and often kayak and fish in Squantz Pond. Where on Candlewood do you moor your boat? Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Sherman or Squantz Cove? You’re a braver man than I, the ski boats and the stinkpotters would make any outing there quite unpleasant…
Stinkpotter
Posted - 02/01/2022 : 21:17:48 I believe (but am not certain) that the original rudder on a 1990 model is a foam-cored fiberglass shell--I bought what I believe was the same rudder around 1991 from Catalina Direct, who I think was using the same source as Catalina (when they were dropping production of the C-25). Any moisture that finds its way through the bolt holes for the pintles or tiller over the years will probably migrate to the bottom of the blade, but if you keep it from freezing, it shouldn't do any damage. Freezing could conceivably split the two sides of the shell apart, creating a crack down the middle of the forward edge.--the aft edge is more tapered and probably has very little core. (Incidentally, direct sun on bottom paint on the blade has been known to cause the foam to swell and split the sides apart. That's another reason to store the rudder inside when the boat is on the hard.)
Just a wild-hare idea: Turn the rudder upside-down and see if some of the water seeps out around the tiller bolt. It might take a while...
Some considerations that are relevant include how the rudder is constructed (i.e., what is its coring material - plywood, foam, etc.?), How long has the problem existed? Long enough to damage the coring? If your rudder is solid HDPE, it can't have water inside it. Is the shape of the rudder distorted, such as large bumps on it? Is there any visible damage to the rudder that might have admitted water inside it?
If there's only a high moisture reading with no other indications of problems, I think I'd suggest you store the rudder in a warm place for the winter, perhaps near your furnace or water heater. Check the moisture again in the spring. If it's dry, paint it with barrier paint and forget about it. If it's still wet, I'd paint it with barrier paint and plan on drilling and draining it next winter.
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.