Hello,
I have an 18 foot solcat that I really love to sail when the lakes are not frozen. Unfortunately, one of my rudders delaminated and cracked in half while I was on vacation. I was able to jury-rig another out of aluminum daggerboard I found in a rotting wooden monohull. But it is a bit heavy to trailer and it sails better with the original 'glass rudder. Any ideas on where I can find a replacement rudder? I was able to locate a lexan Hobbie rudder but I would have to cut the top of it so that it fits the metal rudder holder and can still pop up when I'm in shallow water. Can I do this without seriously weakening the rudder? Should I replace the rudder assembly with a Hobbie assembly?
Thanks, John
The solid plastic (lexan) Hobie rudders should work, fill the existing holes with drillable epoxy and then carve them to fit your castings, drill new holes.
Take pictures and let us know how it goes for the next rudderless Sol-Cat owner.
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Damon Linkous