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S&S Swan Maintenance - Swan 36 rudder
13 June 2010 - 23:14
#1
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abardy
Join Date: 13 June 2010
Posts: 11

Swan 36 rudder
Dear Professor and others,

our Swan 36 rudder has rusty stains; apparently water has leaked in and the metal structure has started to rust. My questions are:

1) When do you consider a reparation essential? No other symptoms of problems are visible.
2) What is the suggested method of reparation?
3) What is the structure of the rudder blade like, most importantly is it hollow or fully laminated?

Best regards

Aleksi Bardy
14 June 2010 - 08:59
#2
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the professor
Join Date: 02 January 2008
Posts: 1547

Dear Aleksi

Thank you for your message

The metal structure is all outside the rudder blade. It is suggested that you dig out the metal parts from under the filler so they can be inspected.

Advice for repair can be given when there is information about the damage.

There is a fairing piece at the forward edge covering the rudder stock, and straps each side of the blade from the hinge aft.

It is important that the area where the straps are joined to the stock is intact.

The rudder blade is solid laminate in the area of the straps, which are through-bolted.

If there has not been rust before something has now changed and is the reason behind this.

Could be the antifouling or an electrical leak through the rudder stock. Does the yacht have shore power?

Kind regards

Lars
14 June 2010 - 18:34
#3
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abardy
Join Date: 13 June 2010
Posts: 11

Dear Professor,

thank you for the comments. As the rust leakage is only on one side, with emphasize on the stern end and not too extensive, we took the decision to launch the boat as is and open the rudder in the fall to check the situation.

The boat does have shore power, but I do not know which parts of the situation have remained the same, as I only bought her some eight months ago,

Best

Aleksi
15 June 2010 - 11:36
#4
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the professor
Join Date: 02 January 2008
Posts: 1547

Aleksi

Good to hear that the rusting is limited.

It would be advisable not to keep the boat hooked up to shore power all the time. The voltage difference between the shore ground line and the water could also be measured, this gives an indication of the potential problem. Unfortunately there usually is a voltage difference, caused either by the power company, or by another boat with a faulty electrical installation in the same marina.

Lars
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