Re: Rudder Failure - builder error!

Posted by Jeremy on
URL: http://uk-hbbr-forum.61.s1.nabble.com/Rudder-Failure-builder-error-tp3338284p3339113.html

I tend to agree with Graham, it's likely to be less work in the long run to make a new one of 12mm rather than trying to make up some sort of composite.

If you were going to go for a composite rudder, then you'd want to put the stiffest/strongest material on the outside, as that's the bit that takes all the bending loads, rather than the middle,  The centre of the rudder doesn't contribute anything worthwhile to the strength and could be something like balsa wood (a bit extreme, perhaps) with a strong skin on either side to take the loads.

The problem with using any non-mouldable material on the outside is that you'd need to shape it to the profile of the rudder, so losing useful strength.

I mentioned using epoxy glass, as it's stronger than wood and could be laid up over a shaped core to get the right profile.  It's be a lot of work though.

Jeremy