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rudder repair / replacement

Posted By: flying_dutchman

rudder repair / replacement - 05/17/10 10:44 PM

Probably due to a wrong launch I got 1 of my rudders cracked (on the inside...) Might be beyond repair but I'm gonna try: grinding a sleeve and inserting 1-2 carbon rods. Any recommendations and or experience??

In the meantime I intend to use a former TheMightyHobie18 rudder which seems identical except the holes. Filled them but now I have to drill new ones in the right position. Can use my cracked H16 rudder as a template which might not be accurate enough. Hope somebody got a template so I can measure and mark proper location with higher accuracy. I noticed when I order new rudders they don't have holes neither. Kind of tricky having to drill hols in new blades ???
Posted By: SurfCityRacing

Re: rudder repair / replacement - 05/18/10 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by flying_dutchman
Kind of tricky having to drill hols in new blades ???


Naw, it's pretty simple. Make sure to get the hole square. I've tried to fix several broken rudders, with little luck. The fill and drill method is more reliable. Here's a template that will help: http://www.hobiecat.com/support/tech/rudder.html

Posted By: flying_dutchman

Re: rudder repair / replacement - 05/22/10 10:23 PM

Thanks Jeremy. Drilled holes and tested rudder blade (5 Bft). As it happens to be the heavy (cheapest ??) "plastic" version it flexed and bent incredibly causing a large number of spin outs. As windsurfer I knew this when using cheap fins - stiffened high tech fins cause seldom trouble...
Gonna fix the other TheMightyHobie18 blade as well now drilling turned out not to difficult. Have high expectations while better blade.
Nevertheless I anticipate I'll buy 2 new carbon rudder blades in the USA....
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