Jim & Sue, I don't have a problem with my rudder, but your post will be saved for future reference. Good info. I am curious about the Booth rudder. The original C27 rudder is quite large as compared to other boats of the same size. I rarely have an uncontrollable round up in a gust. Something that is quite common on other boats I have sailed. The trade off is probably more drag and possibly more weather helm. How does the Booth perform as compared to the original rudder? Don, #6293, Niceville, FL
________________________________ From: Jim & Sue <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, April 6, 2009 11:46:11 AM Subject: [IC27A] Rudder repair history Hi All, I am sending out this message to the list to give a history of my experience with my rudder. A little background is in order to bring you up to date with my past problem. In the fall of 2006 I notice after removing my boat from the water for the winter that I had a good 20 -30 degree play in my rudder post and blade. I posted my problem to the list and got a few different ideas on how to handle this problem. I opted to replace the rudder with a Booth rudder from Canada. (Booth industries was very good to work with and I got my new rudder quick and at a fair price. (I can not say the same for the custom people as they cost me a small fortune to get it into this country). I installed the new rudder and used it all summer. The new rudder performed well and handled better in most cases than the old one. In the fall I decided to dissect my old rudder to diagnose the root cause of my problem with my old rudder. Attached are four (4) of the pictures that I took after I cut the rudder open and my interpretation of what I believe caused the problem. The images show that the blade was welded to the post The OEM had cut a 1/4" by 8" slice in the Stainless steel and then inserted the steel blade and then welded the two. It was the blade that rusted and fell apart. What may not be visible in the images is that water came down the rudder post and came in contact with the 1/4 " plate that was welded to the post and rusted it away about 2" from the post. I believe that the root cause was some very hard sailing in the Atlantic ocean combined with the hard cold New England winters splitting the foam around the stainless steel post then letting water seep past the foam onto the blade. Jim & Sue "Yankee Traveler" 1976 C27 #2791 Newburyport, MA
