Sailing @lemmy.world Koopa_Khan @lemmy.world 7mo ago

First sail of the season

I took the boat out for its first sail this year and lost the rudder.

Do you guys think this is reparable or am I buying a new boat? It’d be a shame to lose her over something so stupid

25 comments

That’s not very typical, I’d like to make that point.
- Luckily it was outside the environment when this occurred
  
  What sort of materials were used in construction?
  
  This happened mid sail, but we were fortunate enough to get a tow back to the dock and on a lift
  
  I’m glad it was this and not the mast
Met some orcas?

But sure, that looks repairable.
- No orcas but maybe some very aggressive large mouth bass lol.
  
  Glad to hear it might be repairable though. I spend god knows how long last month repairing hairline cracks in the hull, I’d at least like to do some sailing this season
lost the rudder

You need to retrace your steps, figure out where you last saw it, and look there.
Totally repairable. Surely its not cosmetic but you can fix much worse in fiberglass. Can you get a replacement rudder? The hull repair is one thing but fabricating a new rudder and tiller is another.
- That’s a good question. I’m pretty sure I can, those I might try to fit a different style since the original set up wasn’t great
  
  If you were me, would you try to use the same wood that’s there or replace the whole structure?
  
  I can hardly see the wood inside but if it’s dry, hard and not damaged by the rip out then why not. Shouldn’t be hard to bond a new panel to the wood and then laminate it to the rest of the structure. Was the rudder hinge bolted to this wood? Because if it was then i’m not sure how it could’ve ripped out so cleanly.
Rudder? I barely know ‘er!
- You should really get to know her before you rudder.

25 comments