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Rudder

Started by Dick, May 27, 2013, 11:13:49 AM

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Dick

I have a 23/IV which I keep on a mooring (salt water). ComPac recommends raising the rudder when the boat is on a mooring. The boat yard painted my rudder with anti-fouling paint and recommended keeping the rudder down when on a mooring for better stability. The owners' manual said that the rudder should not be treated with anti-fouling paint because it would cause the aluminum to corrode. The boat yard said that the rudder was coated with some sort of plastic or fiber glass so it was OK to apply anti-fouling paint... Opinion?

hockeyfool

if you have a new boat , version you have must have the newer foiled rudder that is fiberglass and gelcoated; then antifouling is good idea. If it is just stainless steel - then you need metal specific
  anti-fouling paint.

MacGyver

The big problem is a issue called Electrolysis.
What happens is 2 dissimilar metals get into contact with one another and then interact in a not so kind way to one or the other.

If your rudder is not the aluminum blade, then you are fine.
If it was just metal, The process is to abrade with 40 to 80 grit, wipe down with a solvent to remove all dust, allow to dry then prime with Interlux 2000 3 to 5 coats, then within 3 hours of the last coat paint with anti fouling paint of choice.

I would also have used this process on a foiled rudder, but it is not critical like it is to do that on metal surfaces.

Mac
Former Harbor Master/Boat Tech, Certified in West System, Interlux, and Harken products.
Worked on ALL aspects of the sailboat, 17 years experience.
"I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea."
-Alaine Gerbault.

Bob23

    If it's a plastic rudder blade, then I guess anti-fouling paint of your choice is ok. But I strongly disagree with your yards advice to keep the rudder down while on a mooring. I also keep my 23 on a mooring in a tidal area and the problem with the blade down is a possible conflict between the tide and wind...the poor boat won't know which way to face! I'd much rather have her facing into the wind. It's bad enough that in a light wind, the tide can sometimes wind the boat around her mooring lines so constant attention is a must. The keel of the 23 will catch alot of tidal water and move the boat where it will.
    Most of the boats in my harbor are smaller with centerboards so even in a light wind, they'll face into it. It's funny to see my Koinonia being the only boat facing the other way when the wind's light and the tide is moving in the opposite direction! Sometimes she such a recalcitrant!
Bob23