Another wood rudder question

[barrybrown]

The thread on rudder strapping raised some concerns for my plans. I am considering using Coppercoat on the bottom (decision to be made after Practical Sailor review next spring) including the rudder, considering it is an epoxy coating is it unwise to put it on the rudder? Also with the rudder stripped for the winter is it adequate just to wrap it with canvas for protection from the weather? Would there be any advantage or disadvantage to coating it with CPES? It is not the original rudder but a very good replacement made from solid (one piece) mahogany.
Thanks,
Barry

[Tim]

I would not coat it with CPES. Wrapping the bare wood will certainly be adequate for winter/weather protection.

I don't know anything about Coppercoat, so can't answer that part of your question.

[Quetzalsailor]

I concur.

Cover it in a way that will not trap moisture, stay ventilated, but will keep it dry. Tighter at the top, open at the bottom; not touching the wood would be better, too.

Leave whatever coatings to happier, warmer, un-rushed days.

[Tom Young]

I'm impressed with how strong this mahogany rudder built in 1961 still is. Don't coat it, don't cover it. Let it sway in the water in season, and swing in the breeze all winter. After taking it apart, I don't think the halfway point is reached yet.

[tpl]

woof:-)

[Hirilondë]

I doubt sincerely that it is one piece of wood. But if it looks like one then it was well built and is in great shape. Yes, cover it over the winter if bare wood. UV and fresh water are the enemies of wood. I would not ever saturate joined wooden components with any form of epoxy or any other resin. Saturation techniques are great for plywood (cold molding is in effect building curved plywood), but not joined wood. I have no experience with Coppercoat. That it contains some epoxy is not necessarily bad for a solid wooden rudder, so long as it does not attempt to join the pieces into one unit like saturation techniques do. Awlgrip's545 epoxy primer works well on wooden components, so Coppercoat might work well also.

[barrybrown]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. My concern for the winter was more about uneven drying and sun exposure than water (the boat is mostly covered) and the responses have confirmed my inclination to cover it with canvas for the winter.

Saturation techniques are great for plywood (cold molding is in effect building curved plywood), but not joined wood. I have no experience with Coppercoat. That it contains some epoxy is not necessarily bad for a solid wooden rudder, so long as it does not attempt to join the pieces into one unit like saturation techniques do. Awlgrip's545 epoxy primer works well on wooden components, so Coppercoat might work well also.

Good explanation, I had been thinking of the implications of encapsulation which probably don't apply with a product like Coppercoat.
Barry