Lets Talk Rudders

[WoundUpMarine]

so i have a fiberglass rudder on my boat, i dont really like it because i knots its not as stong as a stainless rudder, but are my fears of its strength unfounded? not know if its the original rudder or not i really have no idea how long its been there. anything good or bad about a glass rudder? i know at least i dont need a zinc!

 

[F/V First Team]

Built right a fiberglass rudder will work for the life of the vessel
Plus you have that traditional downeast look from yesteryear which people can't put a price on

 

[traditions]

You dont need a zinc as long as it is bonded from the inside.You still have a shaft there and usually there ars rods that go for and aft just like the old wooden rudders.If not bonded they can eat out and no more rudder.If you have a stern zinc just bond from the quadrant .

 

[MDI45]

Traditions,That happen to a buddy of mine ....it wasn't bonded and the 3 pins snapped....he got a stainless one after that and ran a ground wire ..lol

 

[paddyboy]

Rudders

Had the original fiberglass rudder on my 30' young brothers, over time the flag started to get wobbly on the shaft. Ended up having a new stainless one fabbed up at Scandia in Fairhaven. After one season noticed the welds showed signs of degradation so we rewelded and then faired it with gorilla hair and sheathed it with a couple of layers of glass. If I remember right the rudder is shaped so that it will lock up against the hull before it can swing back to the wheel. Nice safety feature. Still have the old glass rudder if you need a spare.