Epoxy coatings for timber

[doug9846]

Hi, Looking for a little advice on how to treat a new timber rudder.
Replacing 30 year old transom hung rudder like for like on a 30 foot sail boat. The original timber appeared to be western red cedar and I intended to use West system type epoxy and work the wet epoxy into the timber. I have had advice from some quarters that I should sheath the rudder in "Dynel"which I guess is a brand of fibreglass? My question is, what will the fibreglass contribute to the finished rudder as it is a substantial structure, being 65 mm thick and seems to have failed because the above water end grain was not sealed well enough, and maybe extra fibreglass coating would add weight with no advantage. Interested in your thoughts and experience, thanks.