[C38] C38: Bent Rudder Post

[Mark O'Dell]

Hey C38ers… I had a bit of a mishap last night and I need some advice. 

While seeking some shelter from the wind for a headsail change on the far side of our bay we ended up finding (and hitting) an underwater obstruction. 

We hit pretty hard twice on the rudder. The helm shook a bit but didn't seem too bad until we realized we lost all steerage to starboard. We had full range of steering to port, but zero from center to starb. The wheel just stopped. 

I quickly checked all cables, the quadrant, the bilge, the dive shaft and stuffing box (no leaks, shewww!) and all was as it should be, but still no steering. 

I went over board a bit to see and feel what I could, but there is no seeing anything in the chocolate waters of the chesapeake, and I couldn't feel anything obstructing the rudder. 

After getting precarious tow back to the yard and to the slip, we made plans to pull Momentous and see what's what… so now I fear the following:

If we hit while the rudder was cocked to port, we might have bent the rudder post enough to prevent the rudder from passing the centerline of the boat / hull.

So… if that is the case:

- Is it easy enough to pull the rudder, heat the post, and straighten it?
- Is it possible to shave off the top of the rudder enough and leave the post as is? (Would heating and straightening it weaken the post at all?)
- Is the post solid or hollow?

Anyone have any experience with this?

Typical... it's also the weekend where my wife said to me out of the blue, "Let's go cursing this weekend!" 

Bummed,

Mark O'Dell
Momentous #230
Baltimore, MD