Constantly cracking rudder [Charles]

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Charles wrote:

I seem to have a problem with one of my rudders. The leading edge, just above the section which butts up to the padding on the stock, keeps cracking.

I initially thought I must be dropping it too roughly, but this bit doesn't touch the stock.

I keep re-gel coating it, but 1 sail & the crack reappears, 3 or 4 hard sails & lumps of gel coat are falling off.

Any ideas as to why this keeps happening & how I might stop it?

Steve Sawford refurbed them with the rest of my boat last year, they probably lasted a bit longer after his majic touch, but not much.

Thanks

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Bob replied:

Try putting a second rubber buffer on the stock (wrapped around the edge) so that there is no slack. Also try being more gentle with them as you lower the rudders.
Cheers
Bob

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Duncan Ford replied:

Hi Charles
My rudders chip off gelcoat in the same place, and have done on all four Sprints I've had. Two layers of rubber haven't solved the problem over the past couple of years. Last weekend I increased up to three layers (which doesn't seem to affect the operation of the rudder), and reckon there may be room for four layers.

I got hold of an old car inner tube years ago, and squares of that are perfect.

Good Luck!
Duncan Ford (1973)

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Bob replied:

Yes,good idea but have you seen Charles' muscles & the grunt he puts into his sailing?

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Charles replied:

Thanks Bob & Duncan

I've not thought of myself as particularly strong, but perhaps the number of times I dislocate my shoulder pulling on the mainsheet should tell me something...

I do try to be careful dropping the rudders, but usually being late for the start doesn't help!

I'll try some more padding on the inside of the stock.

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Dartful Codger replied:

I have experienced the same problems, and have largely solved it by re-applying the pad with a minimum of 1/16th overhang.
If you look at the pad, most of it doesn't even touch the front of the blade, so plays little part in protecting it.
It is always the bottom edge that comes into contact first, which is quickly worn away after the rudders are locked down a few times.
Hence by re-locating the pad with 1/16th or more overhang,
i.e. move it down so it protrudes, there is then no possibility for the front edge of the blade to touch the metal stock, which is what causes the damage.
Paul Smith - Beaver S.C