pico rudder

   My son has just bought a Laser Pico from ebay - when we 
arrived to pick it up we found the rudder had a huge crack at the top which they 
did not tell us about, we will be taking this up with them. At the time I agreed 
to a reduction of £70 as I thought I could get a decent secondhand blade quite 
easily, but no. It seems they are hard to find. Is there any way this damage can 
be safely repaired ?

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
web Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 06 May 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote web Report Post Quote Reply Topic: pico rudder Posted: 06 May 14 at 7:47pm
	My son has just bought a Laser Pico from ebay - when we arrived to pick it up we found the rudder had a huge crack at the top which they did not tell us about, we will be taking this up with them. At the time I agreed to a reduction of £70 as I thought I could get a decent secondhand blade quite easily, but no. It seems they are hard to find. Is there any way this damage can be safely repaired ?

GarethT Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Apr 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 714	Post Options Post Reply Quote GarethT Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 May 14 at 9:04pm
	If you can post up a picture I'm sure someone will be able to help.

Mister Nick Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 01 Aug 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 389	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mister Nick Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 May 14 at 10:19pm
	Put a picture up and then people will be able to judge. If the crack isn't too serious then you should be able to open it up with an angle grinder, fill it and then wetsand smooth.

RichTea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 22 Jan 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 207	Post Options Post Reply Quote RichTea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 8:27am
	It also depends on what style of Pico Rudder you have. Over the years the rudder stock has changed design, i am not sure if the blade has too. Depending on how big the crack is depends on the ease of fixing it or whether it is best to use it as it is.
	RS200

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 8:39am
	A second hand blade is something that's not likely to be common- though they're tough, as with most boats rudder blades are one of the more easily breakable items (which is good!)
	-_ Al

web Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 06 May 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote web Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 7:58pm
	please can someone tell me how to post a photo..............many thanks

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 8:00pm
	Go to Post reply, not quick reply, and click on the tree image. Then browse for the pic on your computer and upload it.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 8:17pm
	My pico rudder did the same thing. The cheapskates at performance sailcraft made the original rudder blades of foam cast onto MILD STEEL re-inforcing bars. A micro-crack appears, water gets in, the bars rust and expand and the rudder cracks open. I found no way to repair mine. You can rout it out and fill with fibre glass filler but it will usually crack again. Later spec pico rudders are some sort of injection moulded plastic; I bought the full price replacement and it's been fine. The LATEST pico rudders are extruded aluminium , so should last forever .... but may not fit your existing stock. Sadly, sailing ain't a cheap sport.
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

web Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 06 May 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote web Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 14 at 8:55pm
	Thanks for this, it does seem like a common fault.....I have found a company in the US which makes mahogany 'pico' rudder blades for a fraction of the cost of a new one here, I have sent a photo and they seem to think it will work........at the moment I am trying to get the blade off the stock, the bolt is turning but not coming out - I have tapped it with a hammer at the same time as turning the nut, any hints ??? Thanks

laser193713 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889	Post Options Post Reply Quote laser193713 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 14 at 12:04pm
	Hit it harder... The blade is knackered anyway, what's the worst that could happen!?