Prop rudder protector

[Sprig1]

Hi I have an 1984 27fc on the bottom of the keel is attached a stainless steel bar. It goes out and protects the prop and rudder. Could this be attached to the rudder there are wholes that seem to line up with one another. Was just guessing the bolt might of fallen out. Has anyone ever.seen this. Thanks chris

[don123]

Most early model boats ('83's & early '84's) had no keel strap at all - I would guess a previous owner installed whatever you have, because when the factory did begin installing a 'rudder shoe' most of them were made of wood

This thread has some photos of early, later and latest rudder/keel combinations viewtopic.php?f=28&t=7677&p=46148&hilit ... ood#p46148

Does your boat have a fiberglass rudder or a metal one? My '84 had noting, but I modified the rudder with a bolt which attaches to a stainless strap which I attached to the bottom of the keel with 3 bolts. I used wooden backing plates soaked in epoxy inside the keel and made it all watertight with plenty of 3M 5200

Don

[Sprig1]

Hi Don 123 I have a fiberglass rudder. Sorry about not responding sooner computer problems. It looks like the rudder is taped from the bottom hopefully half inch hole will put bolt in with cut off head and try to line hole in skeg. Thanks for the link to the other post. Have my boat all ripped apart still more to tear apart. Thanks

[don123]

I made some modifications to my fiberglass rudder while I had it off the boat

First, I tapered a piece of treated 2 X 4 on my tablesaw and lag screwed it to the leading edge of the rudder which added 3 1/2 inches to the forward edge. This will make the helm a bit more neutral and will reduce the turning circle a good bit. After the wooden piece was screwed on the leading edge, I covered it in several layers of fiberglass mat soaked in epoxy. I faired it all smooth and now the rudder has a more tapered leading edge

Then, I did exactly as you suggested - I found the center pivot point on the bottom of the rudder and drilled a deep hole and epoxied a 1/2 inch bolt with the head cut off into the rudder, so I had something to attach to a skeg which I bolted to the keel. I used the longest stainless bolt I could find . . . . I think it was 6 or 8 inches. Rough it up with a grinder and glue it into about a 5/8ths hole so it has epoxy all round it

There may have never been anyone who bent the rudder shaft on one of these early model boats, but the shaft is a hollow, thin-wall stainless tube and it didn't look strong enough to me not to have a lower brace

Don

[Sprig1]

Hi Don that will have to be this winter like the idea. I have the boat ripped a part. All cabin port lights out,thruhalls,pilot house windows part of the liner down in three places,water tanks out,waste tank out,exhaust hose off,fuel lines,swim platform, all hoses on boat. Still finding more rot. Painting cleaning bilge, all deck hardware getting re caulked. Bow pulpit and anchor platform has to come off to fix rot and leak. I'm tired just writing it all. Thanks for the response and enjoy your boat maybe someday I will enjoy mine