Broken Rudder Port

While ascending from a dive, I noticed a slight wobble in the rudder.  Later, I used a flashlight to peer under the gas tank and could see a crack in the rudder port flange.  This picture was taken after removal of the gas tank.  Even with a catastrophic failure, there was almost no leakage.

Auxiliary Fuel Tank

  After I removed the 93 gallon tank to investigate the rudder failure, I used this tank to motor to a nearby dry-dock.

Old and New Rudder Ports

The old barrel and flange were broken into 3 pieces.  The significant corrosion where the barrel was welded to the flange leads me to believe that the rudder port was failing over time.  Running aground was just the last straw.  Click on the picture for a close-up. 

Rudder Port with Nomenclature

New Rudder

There were cracks at the base of the rudder shaft, so I replaced the rudder.  I had to drill a hole for the rudder zincs.

Rudder Shaft Close-up

This is a close-up of the "indent" that the "pinch bolt" must pass through.

Rudder Port Installed

Steering Cable Clamp Block

New and Old Steering Cable Clamp Block.  The old one broke apart in my hands. 

Clamp Block Reinforcement

The stringer that the clamp was bolted to is hollow and the bolts were working their way through the fiberglass.  I reinforced the Clamp Block with some aluminum bar-stock.