Cracked Rudder - how difficult to replace?

[kko]

Why is it a bad idea? A prop is thinner and subject to considerable centrifugal forces when rotating. The prop also has considerable thrust forces applied the entire time it is operating. I would think a rudder would have less force and more metal to support any force applied.

Because when that rudder fails you will not be able to stear and if it broke off it could push the shaft into the boat and fill the boat with water faster than your bilge pump could ever dream of keeping up with. Its just not worth it..the BAD far out weighs the good. But to each their own. If you could live with it and feel safe putting your family in that boat thats fine. Me NFW would I ever trust it.
I seriously doubt you would find any one to fix it.
The next time The prop people come by the shop to pick up a prop or shaft I will ask them if they would fix it.
Just wanted the OP to hear some different opinions on repair options.
Looks like they only sell the whole assy. http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?n...SC-RPTNSLOTASS
worth every penny IMPO. Good Luck

***Note to self..Never buy a boat from raythompson.

[duffymahoney]

I know for a fact they sell just the blade. The company is out of the Seattle area. They make struts and props and a bunch of other stuff. Your local dealer will know the name, for the life of me I can't remember.

[Lamest]

New one is ordered and on the way. I for one wouldn't want to be stuck on any of our lakes without a way to steer, and it does make a pretty big hole if it were to drop out or push back into the boat.

[kko]

I know for a fact they sell just the blade. The company is out of the Seattle area. They make struts and props and a bunch of other stuff. Your local dealer will know the name, for the life of me I can't remember.

I thought they did but I couldnt find them on the Web in the few minutes I searched. But I wanted to post a link so he could get an idea of worst case senario cost wise.

[kko]

New one is ordered and on the way. I for one wouldn't want to be stuck on any of our lakes without a way to steer, and it does make a pretty big hole if it were to drop out or push back into the boat.

Your doing the smart/right thing IMPO. Good luck getting it fixed.

[raythompson]

Because when that rudder fails you will not be able to stear and if it broke off it could push the shaft into the boat and fill the boat with water faster than your bilge pump could ever dream of keeping up with. Its just not worth it..the BAD far out weighs the good. But to each their own. If you could live with it and feel safe putting your family in that boat thats fine. Me NFW would I ever trust it.
I seriously doubt you would find any one to fix it.
The next time The prop people come by the shop to pick up a prop or shaft I will ask them if they would fix it.
Just wanted the OP to hear some different opinions on repair options.
Looks like they only sell the whole assy. http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?n...SC-RPTNSLOTASS
worth every penny IMPO. Good Luck

***Note to self..Never buy a boat from raythompson.

Memo to self. Don't ask a reasonable question and expect an intelligent response.

A rudder breaking off and going up into a hull? Gravity works the other way. And the rudder would have to have the shaft break clean with no rudder left to have any chance of going up into the hull.

Losing the ability to steer is no worse than busting a belt or running out of gas.

There is less force on the rudder than on the prop. The prop is creating the force that is being applied to the rudder and has a larger surface than a prop.

I was hoping for a technical reason why a rudder cannot be repaired. All I got was imaginary scenarios.

I suspect that most are replaced because the cost to fix is more than a new rudder.

[kko]

Memo to self. Don't ask a reasonable question and expect an intelligent response.

A rudder breaking off and going up into a hull? Gravity works the other way. And the rudder would have to have the shaft break clean with no rudder left to have any chance of going up into the hull.

Losing the ability to steer is no worse than busting a belt or running out of gas.

There is less force on the rudder than on the prop. The prop is creating the force that is being applied to the rudder and has a larger surface than a prop.

I was hoping for a technical reason why a rudder cannot be repaired. All I got was imaginary scenarios.

Yes I have seen a rudder broken off and fill the boat. Granted it was a strike but it can happen.
Loss of steering at spedd is WAY worse than busting a belt!LOL you with jokes!! I thought you where serious there for a second!

The prop is not the only force being applied to the rudder a 4000# boat at 25-40mph in a turn really loads the rudder.

I am not sure if its technical enough for you but rudder failure can be a direct cause of an accident where people could get injured or worse.

[Bakes5]

Marine hardware is the name of the company in Seattle. Swap is price of cake...even if you replace the rudder box at the same time.