Rudder Mounting Plate Leakage

[TD]

I have a very slight leak between the rudder square mounting plate and the fiberglass hull structure.

DSCN1563.JPG

It is just enough to wet an area about one foot or so in length.
Since I will have the boat in dry dock next spring for bottom painting, zincs etc. I plan to fix this leak. I assume after blocking the rudder up you remove the rudder pivot arm and collar with set screw, then pull out the rudder. Is this all there is to it? Then I should be able to remove the square plate clean and recaulk. Should it be caulked on the bottom of the boat and under the square plate on top? I would appreciate comments and/or someone who has done it.

Terry

[LarryOwen]

Are you sure that the "leakage" isn't coming from the packing gland? Seems a lot more likely than a leak occurring between the hull and the mount (and a lot easier to remedy).

[TD]

Yes--I had tightened the shaft packing nut & eliminated all leakage around it previously. It is possible that it is coming in along one of the four bolts on the plate, but when I pull the boat in March I wanted some savy in case I have to remove the rudder and reseal the plates. I could also seal around the plate when I pull the boat, but I want to do this correctly.

Thanks for the input.
Terry