I Have a Bowed Rudder, is that a Problem?

[RonRock]

Hello group, I'm about to buy my first boat. It's an oldie, but it is priced right (I think) and I love to fix up stuff. I have more time than money.

Anyway, the boat is a 79 Venture 25 with a Yamaha 9.9 (motor looks like new.) The previous owner passed away a couple years ago and she has just sat in the yard since he last sailed it. In that time the rudder has laid inside the garage on the floor. I'm not sure how it was laying, possibly on something . But it has let the bottom section of the rudder take a bit of a bow to it. Not a huge bow, but if I sight down it I can see a bit of bow. It is plastic HDPE maybe? Not sure of the plastic type, it is white. The rest of the rudder system looks OK, the top portion plastic has a split on the edge seam. But I'm sure that is easily repairable.

I'm thinking that I can take the rudder apart and put some weight on the bowed portion and maybe with some time the bow will come out. Maybe even place it up on bricks so that I can over bend it so that it returns to straight when tension is released.

Otherwise the boat looks OK, not perfect by any means. But it will suit me.

Any suggestions on the rudder? Is it even a concern? I figure it will still work as it is, just not as well as it would if straight.

Thanks in advance for advice. So far I'm loving it! There is sooooo much to learn.

[mastreb]

It depends on how it's bowed. If axis of symmetry of the bow is vertical, this is a problem that cause the boat to turn in the direction of the bow. If the axis of symmetry of the bow is horizontal, it's likely of no concern at all.

[Catigale]

Ron

Well, worst case its about 500 USD for a new rudder from IDA Sails.

I would guess the bow wont be material unless you are a hard core racer - even then the effect will be minimal if you have to sight the rudder to see the discrepancy...

[Tomfoolery]

Hello group, I'm about to buy my first boat.

I would guess the bow wont be material unless you are a hard core racer - even then the effect will be minimal if you have to sight the rudder to see the discrepancy...

I rather doubt it would make any real difference. Straighten it up a bit if you can, or put it right to work (my first choice) and see how she sails. Unless it's bent like a banana or twisted visibly, it won't make a difference when first starting out. It may even straighten itself out over time, mounted on the boat.