| Author | Message | ||
     John Stefancik New member Username: Jstef Post Number: 15 Registered: 01-2001 Rating: N/A |
Was motoring home after racing on Saturday and noticed that my bottom rudder gudgeon was moving from side to side very slightly. This has me worried! The gudgeon was repacked and inspected for moisture in winter 2001 and none was found. I crawled underneath the cockpit sole and inspected the bolts and backing plate and noticed moisture around the lower left bolt and the edge of the backing plate. Since this part of the transom is out of the water most of the time (when she's on the mooring) I'm less worried about the water instrusion at the moment, but wonder if I can tighten the nuts enought to keep the gudgeon from moving and breaking hull, letting more water in, and worst case-- some sort of catastrophic failure. I expect to take off the gudgeon at the yard during winter haulout and fix everything, but wonder if I can wait that long. Anyone have any experience with this part of their boat? Has anyone had to fix the hull between the gudgeon and the backing plate? Any advice?? Thanks very much. John Stefancik "Hurricane Kelley" Annapolis, MD (1983, hull #5) |
