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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

small crack in rudder paint

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bsmudd
1st Mate

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61 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/02/2003 : 19:07:18

My rudder, centered on the edge facing behind the boat, has a thin vertical crack about ten inches long, and starting 6 inches above the waterline. It appears that it may be just the paint which has opened up. Can I just paint this crack or is there a possibility of internal water damage?

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2003 : 00:17:26

Unfortunately, the paint is probably opening up because the surface underneath is expanding due to delamination.

I'd get it dried out and apply some thin, penetrating epoxy like WEST system into the crack until it refuses to accept any more.

Sounds like you're catching it early.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2003 : 15:29:22

Congrats! You have the Catlaina Crack. You may want to open this up before filling to allow it to dry out.
I opened this crack by running it (lengthwise) over my table saw. Filled with a mixture of epoxy/filler, re-gel coated. No probems since.
Others have suggested storing your rudder indoors in the off season so any remaining moisture doesn't freeze and expand.
Good luck.

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Steve Shetter
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2003 : 16:15:22

I have just had my rudder repaired. It had the same problems that you have mentioned, but mine were MUCH worse. I thought about buying a new one, but the repair was somewhat cheaper and I'm glad I did it this way. My rudder had air dried for several months and the boat builder clamped it tight, reglassed and gel-coated to my color specs and it looks like a new one. In fact, I just rolled the last coat of bottom paint on it this morning and she goes into the lake in about 2-3 weeks.

Steve Shetter
"At Last"
#2381

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bsmudd
1st Mate

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61 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2003 : 17:09:38

The Catalina Crack. That's catchy, and if i didn't have to fix it I might be proud of it.

So, OJ, when you ran it through the table saw, you were just trying to open it up a little to get the epoxy in there and remove some wet material?? What type of blade on the saw?

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2003 : 22:28:20

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
So, OJ, when you ran it through the table saw, you were just trying to open it up a little to get the epoxy in there and remove some wet material??
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Exactly
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
What type of blade on the saw?
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Well, I'm embarassed to admit I was too lazy to change the blade for such a short cut . . . 80 tooth carbide tip. I also wanted to achieve a smooth, clean cut. How's that for justification <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> ?
I then nosed around with a dremel tool and opened up some voids exposed by the saw cut. Felt like I was performing a root canal.

Edited by - OJ on 06/03/2003 22:31:01

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Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2003 : 22:39:07

bs... Where do you live? Has the rudder been in freezing weather (such as when stored during the winter)? Moisture can enter at the hole for the tiller, get into the plywood core, and then expand when it freezes. On top of everything else, If you're up north, I suggest storing it inside during the winter.

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

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bsmudd
1st Mate

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61 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2003 : 00:48:50

My boat's in Annapolis, so it definitely sees some freezing temps throughout the winter.

I'm going to follow the advice you all have given me, but one more question. Why does this quote from the 1988 Owner's manual makes it seem like the rudder core can't be affected by water?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

3.4.2 CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RUDDER:

Your boat has been equipped with a composite urethane rudder.
The rudder is composed of a rigid. closed-cell urethane core with
a fiberglass coating. Water, diesel. solvents or marine borers
will not damage your rudder blade even if the glass coating has
been damaged.

Closed-cell plastics can be damaged by heat. To eliminate the
risk of damage, rudders should be sheltered from the sun with a
white wrapping when the boat is out of the water. Composite rudders
should never be painted black.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

- B.S. Mudd -
on the Chimera

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2003 : 16:50:21

. . . but one more question. Why does this quote from the 1988 Owner's manual makes it seem like the rudder core can't be affected by water?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
3.4.2 CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RUDDER:
. . . Water, diesel. solvents or marine borers
will not damage your rudder blade even if the glass coating has
been damaged.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

The answer should be quite obvious my dear Mr. Mudd; the above had to be written by a sales and/or marketing person, not an engineer . . . <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

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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.