The early W32 rudders, with the rounded trailing edge, had skins of cloth and resin layed up in a mold, each half filled with fiberglass mishmash (asbestos powder and resin), then joined together. These used stainless pintals and gudgeons.
Sometime in 1973 we made a new mold, with the straight trailing edge, with pockets for bronze pintal pins, and made fiberglass gudgeons. These were contracted and made made by another company in Costa Mesa that specialized in rudder construction. They layed up skins in the two halves, joined the mold together, then injected closed cell foam into the mold.
The rudders have stood up fairly well, with some separation along the centerline, and some blistering noted. Most of this has been taken care of in repairs done to these rudders. Some owners have added lead weight to the aft lower trailing edge to better balance the floatation forces of the rudder. Dave King has done a modification to the aft end of the hull to close up the gap and smooth the waterflow between the hull and rudder, and this has shown a marked improvement in boat speed and handling.
I have an order for a new rudder from one owner whoses rudder could not be easily repaired, and I know a company that specializes in replacement rudders, keels, and tillers that plans to make a one-off rudder for him later this spring. They could build a mold if there were more orders for replacement rudders, and bring the cost down from making a one-off rudder.
If any W32 owner is interested in having a new rudder made, please contact me at bud@westsail.com..
