TOPIC: Just a small disaster!

My friend Dan and I have been working hard to get the Barracuda ready for the water checking everything the last few day and yesterday was the big day. We took the boat to the lake and backed it in the water. I got stuck in the mud and Danny had to hook up his truck to mine and pull me out, couldn't get the boat off the trailer. Brought her home and we were going to be better launch area this morning. I went in side to put som swim trunks on and when I came out Danny said, look at the back of the boat, notine anything? Holey crap! the rudder was gone!
When I backed in in the day before I hit a log and broke off the rudde. Went to the lake and waded out and found what was left of it and am in the process of finding a fix. Not a good day to say the least. The good new, it can be fixed.
JAG

Did you think you were launching a JON Boat,I think it deserves the big marina and the slings and let it in slowly by the way put the plug in also,, hahahBill

Yes, it is John's boat, who the heck do you think owns it! LOL!

Good "comback", Mr.G! Sorry to hear about your misfortune, hope you get it all worked out. I know you've gotta be dying to take that first ride.

John - Although I have a cadre of PhD materials dudes who could pass opinion on your photo...and blow it up another 10000X using scanning electron microscopes, you should kneel down and say a little prayer. That rudder was a disaster waiting to happen. No way that should have broken off unless there was a serious corrosion problem, which I think your photo shows. Consider yourself luckly you weren't at high speed in a turn when it decided "I'm tired, adios"....and let go. Get her fixed and move on....which I'm certain you will. Like the article on the Lyman shaft log wear by Alan Briggs and me in the last Rudder, your problem with the rudder (Rudder...get it : )) is material fatigue. 50 year old metal, as does 50 year old bodies, have their issues....present company included. Brian

Looks like a corked bat!

I agree with Brian, good thing it didn't come off in deep water or at high speed. Bad luck or good luck?

JAG - I just reread your post and noticed that you're 'fixing' the rudder post. That broke at the worst possible place, and clearly shows corrosion. That rudder looks like it's bronze encased steel, which I think may be some of the problem....dissimilar metals. I would replace the rudder, not try to repair it. Go to:

www.boatdesigns.com/Rudders-for-Boats-under-25-feet/products/655/

and see if you can find one that will work for you, and then you can stop worrying about it for as long as you own the boat.

Brian

AFter inspecting it we found that it was fractured 3/4 of the way through. Could have been a real disaster at 50MPH in a turn.
JAG

New rudder and post. Don't mess with a weld. It undergoes a lot of load and I would be nervous about a weld, especially looking at the shaft.