Rudder Replacement on Pearson 26

[rhr1956]

I bought a 1978 Pearson 26 OD yesterday. Cabin roof and cockpit sole are solid..no soft spots.
The seller told me the rudder was lost in the lake Labor Day weekend 2010 when the boat got stuck on a sand bar. He said the wind shifted before they could drop sail and twisted the rudder shaft.

He had someone cut down a Catalina 28 rudder and mount it to a new stainless steel shaft. It is not yet installed on the boat as the top needs to be glassed. See pic.

I'm not quite sure how to get the steering head attached to the rudder shaft. I believe the steering head and orginal shaft are a one piece aluminum assembly. Maybe cut the aluminum head off and spline it somehow to the new SS rudder shaft?

Ideas?

[GordMay]

Congratulations on your new boat!
See P26
Info ➥ Pyxis - Pearson 26
Engineering ➥ Pyxis CAD Drawings - Pearson 26

[rhr1956]

Is epoxy resin strong enough without filler? I was thinking of pouring a 1/4" thick surface (around the rudder shaft) for the bushing flange to rest on. I can use a waxed cardboard ring to retain the resin until it cures. Rudder shaft bushings for the pearson 26 are machined from delrin. The bottom bushing slips over the rudder shaft and has a 3" flat flange ( see picture in above post) that rests on the top flat surface of the rudder. Should I use straight resin, resin with chopped glass or resin and some kind of additive such as aluminum power?

[sailpower]

Don't know if you still need info but came accross this page today.

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