I cut my rudder in two!

I cut my rudder into two pieces and welded a flange into the rudder stock. This gives me the ability to remove the rudder to perform maintenance on the rudder tube. The rudder tube is simply a large pipe welded into the bottom of the stern. It passes up into the cockpit. The rudderstock fits in the tube with lubricated (greased) bushings held by set screws. The tiller handle fits on top. It is incredibly strong and simple. My fear is that the rudder tube will rust out and sink the boat from lack of maintenance. Before I welded in the flange, I would have to have a marina use the big lift to raise the boat up 10 feet or so and drop the rudder out. Only then could I inspect the rudder tube. Now I can have the rudder off in 15 minutes, right in my driveway...or even better, in any marina anywhere! I try to avoid the marina when possible. The cost of using the travel lift is very high.

Vindhler Gets A New Shoe!

The bottom of the keel had suffered from a lack of maintenance over the last 50 years; electrolysis and galvanic corrosion had warn the steel thin. My neighbors recommended Doug Uraneck for the welding. Doug is a master welder who works with skill usually consigned for surgeons. Doug was suffering from the beginning stages of ALS. In spite of pain and a wheelchair, his indomitable spirit kept him working until the end. Doug was a servant, and the great number of people who came to his side were a testament on how much he was loved. Thank you Doug! You are missed by many. I ordered a 4'x8' piece of hot rolled steel plate 3/8" thick. This was delivered sheared into two 2'x8' pieces. We joined them together creating a 16 foot piece. I hired John Clay and his truck that transports the boat to come by to lift the boat up. It took six men to lift and slide the steel plate under the Vindhler's keel. The next step was to trim and fasten the plate to the keel of the boat. I hired a great welder named John Doane for this work. I have been very happy with his effort. It was a great relief to get this work completed. I had always felt this was the Achilles heel of the boat.