A NEW INSPIRATION 1050 CATAMARAN DEPARTS OUR MARINA AT RAINBOW BEACH

RUDDERS.
There are several different methods of rudder construction. The Inspiration 1050 being a GRP vessel, the preferred method is using a solid stainless steel shaft with tangs and then using fibreglass for the blade.
The rudder shafts are available in our fit-out kits and come complete with the tiller arms, and bushes and thrust washers.

RUDDER TUBE CONSTRUCTION

To lay-up the rudder tubes, one must always remember to use the rudder shaft to support and line-up the bearings whilst the fibreglassing is done. Failure to do this will result in the shafts not fitting in the tubes as the bearings will not be properly aligned.
The bearings are set at either ends of the shaft at the correct distance and a PVC tube is used as a former between the bearings. The outside surface of the bearings and the PVC tubing should be roughened by a course grinding wheel to help provide a good keying surface for the fibreglass. Masking tape is used to hold the PVC tube to the bearing as well as to stop resin running through onto the shaft.
The rudder tube lay-up should be done over a two or three day period to prevent heat build up as the rudder tube thickness should be the same as the hull bottom construction.
Firstly the 600 gram CSM should be torn in 150 mm strips. Do not use wide strips and attempt to wrap them around the shaft. This will only result in many large air bubbles which you will constantly chase around the shaft. The rudder tube lay-up is the same as for the bottom shell and will include 600 gram woven roving.
It is best not to build up 3 or 4 layers at a time.
RUDDER CONSTRUCTION
A flat panel of fibreglass is laid up using our template and cut to shape. Make sure that this blade is well sanded prior to bonding to the rudder shaft.
The blades are set up square to the stainless steel rudder shafts, and two layers of 600 gram CSM are used to tie the blades to the shaft. Once cured the shafts are turned over and a further two layers are added to hold the other side. The rudder blade lay-up is progressively completed over a 2 or 3 day period, again to prevent too much heat build up and possible delaminating. The lay-up includes 600 gram woven roving. The aerofoil shape blade covers are fitted to give the  final shape.