Cold Aft Kansas

One Way David · Post by **One Way David** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:03 pm

Ok I don't live in the great north east, I can still feel the pain. See, I live in cold aft Kansas;)

And, yes that is a Border Collie that works for a living in the lower left. Can anybody name that boat? Actually I have a question and a comment. The following questions regard the rudder and the urgency of the obvious need for repair. I could put her in the water next week, or should I pull the rudder and rebuild?

My comment. I want to thank Tim and the whole group of regulars and occasionals for this site. I feel like I have the benefit of a university available for my education. I've been lurking for about a year and have really enjoyed it. Thanks.

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:38 pm

Go sailing next week.

The wood has dried out a bit and shrunk. A few days in the water and it will swell back up.

Take a long oar with you in case I am wrong...

Rachel · Post by **Rachel** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:10 am

Pearson Ensign?

Post by **Tim** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:59 am

There's nothing urgent or in need of repair on that rudder, unless the wood is punky.

Those gaps will disappear when the boat is put back in the water. What you have there is entirely normal, and even on the minimal side of normal plank shrinkage.

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:18 am

bcooke wrote: Take a long oar with you in case I am wrong...

Now that is how one instills confidence in a reply!

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:25 am

I try to cover my aft at all times :-)

Ric in Richmond · Post by **Ric in Richmond** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:36 am

DON'T fill those gaps with caulk either.

Rudder is fine.

One Way David · Post by **One Way David** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:22 am

Thanks everyone. Sailing it will be.

Case · Post by **Case** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:40 am

I had to chuckle when I read the first post.

Its understandable, though. I never can get used to wooden rudders on a fiberglass boat. Pearson sure was a bit strange sticking to wooden rudders while building fiberglass boats in the first few years of operation. Pearson probably did it because at that time, wooden boats were still common so it probably was quicker & cheaper to build wooden rudders.

That wood rudder actually looks better than average for me. I often see wood rudders with gaps maybe 3 times bigger.

- Case

One Way David · Post by **One Way David** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:09 am

Oh yeah, it's an Ensign. But you already knew that.

dmairspotter · Post by **dmairspotter** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:48 am

One of the prettiest boats ever designed, IMO!

My rudder looked like that for years.

Rachel · Post by **Rachel** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:23 am

One Way David wrote:Oh yeah, it's an Ensign. But you already knew that.

I didn't know - just guessed based on the "aft" - so thanks for telling.

Rachel