Modifying buoyancy of the rudder on a steel vessel

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Ray has it right, corrosion inhibitors is the priority and a designed weight to maintain trim and balance
recommend you leave as is.....
My dutch Rudder is filled with diesel Attachment 140960

Now there is a novel reserve tank.[emoji6]

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Now there is a novel reserve tank.[emoji6]

Venting would be interesting.[emoji1]

[hpeer]

Our big boats rudder had oil. It developed a tiny leak AGW weld seam. I drained the oil redid the weld and refilled with oil. 20 or 12 quarts I think.

The small boat rudder was dry but has a fill hole, so I filled it. No detectable chAnge in the steering or the trim.

Someone else recommended ATF for anticorrosive properties. Antifreeze might work also.

[Pauls]

Yeah, everyone should do what works best for their particular set up. Diesel is a good idea for penetrating small holes.

I have an air compressor on board (for hookah diving) so checking is simple, actually simplest in the water as you just pressurize with the dive hose and then look for bubbles. My big alternator is set up for welding so that I can do repairs in remote places. It's an excellent welder actually, the output is a pulsed DC which is the equal of any welder I've used.

[jmph]

Thanks to everyone for help, now I have a much clearer idea of this issue.

[jmph]

Last one:
I've just received this email from Van de Stadt Design - Yacht Designers and Naval Architects (Van de Stadt's designers). I think it's a good end for this issue
Dear xxxxx xxxxx,
Yes, the trim can be corrected by emptying the rudder.
There will not be an affect on the functionality of the rudder.
Best regards,