- Action: To Do List item A0107 - Make and install rudder upper and middle gudgeons stainless steel backing plates and reseal mount bolt holes.
- Completed: 19 October 2017
- Cost: $12.50
While re-sanding the upper rudder gudgeon mount, noticed that what remained of one of the mount bolt heads had a rusted powdery appearance. We had previously noticed on the inside of the hull, the rust stain marks flowing down the hull from this location, resulting in this To Do List item. Was surprised when we put a wrench on the inside nut for this bolt, and the nut just popped off. We removed the two other mount bolts for the upper rudder gudgeon, and discovered this rusted bolt had almost all it's threaded length dissolved away.
The other bolts had significant signs of corrosion. Lacking stainless steel plate material to make robust backing plates (this is a new To Do List item), we made a replacement out of wood and coated it with epoxy. New 3/8"-16 x 3-1/2" Grade 316 Stainless Steel Hex Cap Screw bolts, washers, and nuts ($12.50) were installed with 3M 4200 Marine Adhesive and torqued tight. The middle gudgeon bolts only required new sealant.
These rusted bolts had the potential to adversely impact rudder mount integrity and emphasize that if rust signs are observed, don't delay, inspect and rectify - what should be a common sense response.
Added to the To Do List:
- B0223 - Obtain stainless steel plate material to make rudder gudgeon mount backing plates.
