I have had my RudderCraft rudder since 2011, and I really appreciate the ability to kick the blade up out of the water completely when at the mooring and also when motoring in tight spaces. Unfortunately, it now has some pretty significant problems I can’t ignore.
Just before the 2014 sailing season, I brought the stainless rudder head to a local metal shop to have them buff it and make it look like new. For some inexplicable reason, they buffed it with a non-stainless buffing wheel which then caused the rudder cheeks to lose a great deal of their stainless properties. Within a short time on the water, the rudder cheeks rusted and looked absolutely terrible.
The rusted rudder cheeks in 2014.
It was a real pain in the neck to remove the rust myself, and there has been a great deal of maintenance every year trying to keep the rust from forming again.
Near the end of this past sailing season, I accidentally left the rudder in the down position at ORION’s mooring. After several days of tidal ebbs and flows, the rudder blade became firmly stuck in the mud, twisting and severely bending the blade. When I was able to finally remove the rudder, I tried to gently bend and twist it back into shape using weights and heat, but it is still pretty far out of shape.
Finally, just a week or so ago with ORION safe and secure in her boatshed, I took a closer look at the rudder, and boy, I’m glad I did. The welds holding the rudder cheeks to the rudder stock itself are starting to fail, and I’m wondering if this has anything to do with the rust problem from 2014.
A big split in the weld on one side.
Another split with rust on the other side.
So, I think the time has come for me to purchase a new rudder. This is an expense I wasn’t counting on, but I believe it will be for the best. I’ll be able to salvage the old tiller and even keep the gas piston as a spare, and it has certainly served me well for the past twelve years. Let’s hope a new one lasts me even longer.