WEll..i was bringing my rudders int my basement to get ready to fix the alignment problem and fix the stuck cam. Then the rudder swung out when i was holding it, it hit the floor and the the part of the rudder around the bolt that attaches to the frame(not the part that locks down) BROKE and the rudder fell off. Has this ever happened to anyone, or is it just because the rudders are like 30 years old?

I'm confused. Are you saying that the rudder itself broke or the aluminum housing that fits along the top cracked?

The rudder itself broke, Correction:, it did break around the bolt for the arm that locks down, not for the frame like i said before. So just imagine that where the bolt for the arm attaches to the rudder, broke off so that the bolt cant hold anymore. Pretty much a chunk of the rudder broke off....ughh Im guessing im just gonna have to buy a new rudder right? there 100$..not to bad. how much is a whole rudder assembly with everything?

Depending on how and where it broke, I would be tempted to drill through one piece into the other and epoxy in some kind of long slender screw or two or three.

Of course if it rebreaks you might end up having a great afternoon of sailing terminated by a crawling back to the marina.

try surfing ebay for a new rudder or post a want ad on TheBeachcats.com

I did the same thing on one of the rudders on my 72 16. Didn't want to spend any money on the repair, so I fixed it with machine screws and 2-part expoxy. Its held so far for two years no problems. Nate

If I can fix my centerboards, you can fix your rudder:

hmmm ill see waht do do, a replacment is only 100$ and since i dont do anything competitive i dont need the racing rudders. Ill see what my options are for fixing it.

been there done that.....use epoxy---I like the west system....i used x-ray film to wrap around the rudder, taped it down, poured epoxy/harder/hidensity filler--(consistancy of peanut butter)...let it dry. then i sanded to make the rudder back to the original shape. drilled the hole, and went sailing......no problemo....t

How strong is it though? I am wondering if it will hold with all the stress when you turn and everything...I wouldnt want it to break when im sailing.

the rudder i fixed, i have used for 3 years now.....oh, ya might want to drill some vertical holes where the part broke off to give the epoxy more surface to hold...say about 1/2 inch deep.....................t

I used west system high density and my centerboard has been rock solid.

In fact, the rest of the board is wearing away due to me dragging it around on the sand so much, but my repair looks like the day I finished it.

I have small chips on the bottom and aft edges of my rudders. Would that epoxy hold well enough to fix those chips? How would you color it so it would match the white of the original rudder?

Epoxy should be plenty strong. Then I'd paint over the whole thing because the paint will protect the entire assembly from harmful UV rays. Sand smooth.

ok I'll try and post some pics of the before and after.