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New Rudder for Dura Mater?

Yes! thanks to Carliane, who came down to help me re-install it on Friday. Do I have a video? Of course! However, the battery died before she donned her wetsuit (sorry, kids). We crawled around on the dock for about an hour, got all greasy and laughed alot. It was fun (says the person who didn't get into the water). Video to follow, but the important thing is that DM is now sail able!!! And I'll be replacing her very old small boat windward traveller with a new midrange Harken during the coming week. What could go wrong?
 
You people have a lot more fun on your docks up there, than I do at Coyote Point. It's me and Luther Izmirian, and that's about it!
 
At least the video can show How Not To Do It. Jackie also assured me she will dub it with nice music to protect the guilty from any cussing/inane banter, and also cut out the super cringe-inducing parts. I learn something every time I muck around on boats and we certainly had a lot crazy laughter over it. Who would do this kinda stuff if it weren't fun?! ;)
 
AlanH said:
LOL..yeah, I've done that! You lasses had a lot more fun than I did.
Click to expand...

At least the video didn't show me hyperventilating as that frigid water slowly seeped into my wetsuit. I think there was also cussing from Jackie while the rudder was stuck under the dock and would not budge (shhh, you never heard that from me). Yeah, good clean fun...

(FYI - it's galling not corrosion to think about with the new SS bolts and lock nuts. Might want to get some Tefgel. Or ask someone to borrow a bit because a little goes a loooong way.)
 
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Gamayun said:
At least the video didn't show me hyperventilating as that frigid water slowly seeped into my wetsuir.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that water didn’t feel so cold on my forearm. Sorry! And I tried fishing around for your 10 lb diving weight Wednesday. A fella in a big boat down the dock has offered to lend me his longer boat hook when it’s low tide. It’s mucky down there but he says it isn’t going anywhere.
 
Intermission said:
If the weight isn't stainless, I've got a big magnet on a rope you could use.
Click to expand...

It's probably not stainless, but likely is another non-ferrous metal often found around boats.

Magnets don't work any better on Lead... don't ask how I know this.

DH
 
The Rudder is here

Dura Mater's new rudder has arrived. Here it is in the back of the station wagon. Isn't it beautiful?

Foss Rudder.jpg

Donald Proull at the Foss Company remembered Ronnie Simpson's rudder and sent me one just like it. Elliptical, whatever that means and designed by Carl Schumacher. That must be good because, according to Christine, boats that are Schumacher below the water are fast boats. Donald put it into the fast track for me, and when I called this morning to thank him his reply was: "Well, you told me you needed it for that Farallones race." Ah!!! Thank you, Donald!

Now what do I have to do? Get a hole drilled into the stainless shaft in JUST the right place, find some a them there washer thingies, paint it, then jump in the water and shove it back in. Greg will help me with the first two. Then I should probably put some epoxy stuff on it before bottom paint, yes? That two part Interconnect 2000 expoxy, right?
 
Here is my workshop: the front porch.

on front porch.JPG

Yesterday I gave my new tiller four coats of 2000e epoxy, resting it on small bits of waxed paper, which is also useful when rolling out dough for pie. Greg Nelsen says to let it “bake” for a couple of days, during which he is fabricating shims/washers for me.

Gordie Nash, who came in FIRST in the Great Vallejo Race yesterday with Ruth, gave me a wonderful tip that was very helpful. He said that refrigeration halts the catalytic action that causes 2000e to harden. So, in between coats I put my little roller pan on the top shelf in my refrigerator.

in the fridge.JPG

It worked like a dream. To be fair, the refrigerator still smells like epoxy paint this morning, so there is a trade-off.

My new friend John DeMeter told me that he had a quart of blue Trinidad in his garage, saved from when his family owned its last of three Cals. If it was still usable I could have it. So we traded a quart of expensive bottom paint for four pies. What a good deal for me. But he’s allergic to blueberries so I have to be careful not to poison him. His favorite? Marionberry pie. What the hell? Although research suggests that marionberries are only grown in Oregon, John says I can find them just off Highway 80 north of Auburn. Huh. Another travelling adventure, and I can’t take Dura Mater on that one.

I’ve asked Carliane if I can borrow her wetsuit because, once this rudder baking is done I’ll go over to the boat with Greg’s shims to measure for the bolt hole. Then out it comes again for the drilling and I’ve purchased a series of titanium drill bits. I am hopeful that I will be able to sail ‘round the Farallones with my new rudder. It really has taken a village to help me with this project, and I thank everybody for their input. Since my front porch is in Oakland, I just hope my rudder doesn’t get tagged tonight.
 
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I wonder rudder bearings are on your checklist. The rudder shaft should be the same diameter. The old shaft may have worn so there was play in the bearings. Sometimes the bearings are replaced with new dimensions to take the play out. Before the new rudder goes in, it may be useful to check rudder shaft diameter with old and new rudder. A dial caliper will give useful information, while a tape measure won't.

Just a thought.

Ants
 
Yikes - epoxy? It never occurred to me to epoxy my new Foss rudder before I slapped bottom paint on it.
Anyway Jackie, it looks great. Enjoy!
 
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