[C320-list] Bent rudder shaft - how to fix?

[Bob Borelli via C320-list]

I stupidly went aground at night, then backed down in reverse, rudder stuck in the mud, I lost control of the wheel.
Boat always turned on dime, now difficult to turn wheel.
Boat hauled today, rudder off center to port & cocked forward.

Has anyone encountered a similar problem & how it was resolved?
I am in trouble now.

Bob Borelli
1995 320 no. 209
Worton Creek Marina, MD

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Sounds like you bent the rudder post.  Sorry .... have no experience. 
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32

[Mark Seyler via C320-list]

It sounds like your rudder stock is bent. Friction of the rudder against the
outside of the hull could explain the stiff steering.

But the unknown question is whether the grounding damaged the tube the
rudder stock sits in. At a minimum you'll need to drop the rudder and look
at where the tube penetrates the hull. When I bought my 320 back in 2011 I
had to have some repairs to that joint. It wasn't the end of the world, but
it needed to be fixed.

You may want to involve your hull insurer if you have coverage. And they'll
probably want a survey to determine the extent of any damages before any
repairs are started.

Sorry you are having this issue. Groundings can happen to any of us.

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Bob:

I hope I ain't so but, if you need new rudder, the place to call is Foss Foam. It makes rudders for a huge number of boats.

I have heard and read of people cutting open rudders and replacing the shaft, but you would need a very good welder to do so. I believe the rudder itself is not solid fiberglass. Usually, there is foam or some other waterproof filler.

I agree with Mark that you want to talk to your insurer and get a claims adjuster to look at the situation. A grounding would seem to be a situation you could file a claim on. However, you never know with insurance companies these days.

Good luck.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.


________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Mark Seyler via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 3:48 PM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: mse...@cox.net <mse...@cox.net>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bent rudder shaft - how to fix?

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

Bob-

Ugh, that really stinks! Definitely one of the downsides of the lower
hull numbers is that the rudder is about the same length as the wing keel
so it has a high probability of getting damaged if you back down when
grounded. Agree with others, before doing any repairs or deconstructive
exploration you may want to involve your insurance company. Take lots of
pictures either way.

Side note, Wonky Dog is hanging in the slings at Worton as we speak, I
guess we were the last haul out of the day and they didn’t get it up the
hill yet.

Troy Dunn
Hull #514

[Bob Borelli via C320-list]

Thank you all for your responses!

Troy - Today I filed a claim with BoatU.S. Sent 2 pics. BoatU.S. sent app to take virtual pics. Will do. John LeClair tremendous help! Responds quickly! If I didn't have to chase the people at last 2 marinas, I would not have moved to Worton.

Jack - I sent an email to Foss Foam Products of Florida for info on new rudder, very good tip, thank you!

Mark - Yes fwd top end of rudder rubbing against hull. No apparent damage to hull tube joint outside or inside but will further check once rudder removed.

Dave - thanks for forwarding the Foss Foam email.

The Worton Creek Marina will remove the rudder & shaft & send to Miller Island Propeller, Sparrows Creek, MD. Maybe the shaft canbe straightened.
If not new rudder & shaft.

I am asking myself this question - will the cost of this fix be worth the value of the boat? Should I stop now? Tough question to ponder.

Bob Borelli 1995 C320 no. 209

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Troy Dunn via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 7:11 PM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Troy Dunn <troutw...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bent rudder shaft - how to fix?

[Laura Gwinn via C320-list]

When I had my rudder replaced last year, we initially used Foss but they
sent the wrong rudder! I still dont know where the “glitch” was:
bostyard or Foss. Then boatyard ended up using a company in Idaho (of
all places) cuz Foss shuts down in Aug. Both companies easy to work with
and responsive.

Sent from Gmail Mobile

[Bob Borelli via C320-list]

Thank you Laura!
I just got a quote from Foss Foam Products for shaft & rudder, less then $4,000 shipped to boat yard.
Seems resonable price.
Bob Borelli
________________________________
From: Laura Gwinn <laura.g...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 3:30 PM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Bob Borelli <cassa...@hotmail.com>

Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bent rudder shaft - how to fix?

When I had my rudder replaced last year, we initially used Foss but they sent the wrong rudder! I still dont know where the “glitch” was: bostyard or Foss. Then boatyard ended up using a company in Idaho (of all places) cuz Foss shuts down in Aug. Both companies easy to work with and responsive.

Sent from Gmail Mobile

On Wed, Nov 5, 2025 at 15:09 Bob Borelli via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com<mailto:c320...@lists.catalina320.com>> wrote:
Thank you all for your responses!

Troy - Today I filed a claim with BoatU.S. Sent 2 pics. BoatU.S. sent app to take virtual pics. Will do. John LeClair tremendous help! Responds quickly! If I didn't have to chase the people at last 2 marinas, I would not have moved to Worton.

Jack - I sent an email to Foss Foam Products of Florida for info on new rudder, very good tip, thank you!

Mark - Yes fwd top end of rudder rubbing against hull. No apparent damage to hull tube joint outside or inside but will further check once rudder removed.

Dave - thanks for forwarding the Foss Foam email.

The Worton Creek Marina will remove the rudder & shaft & send to Miller Island Propeller, Sparrows Creek, MD. Maybe the shaft canbe straightened.
If not new rudder & shaft.

I am asking myself this question - will the cost of this fix be worth the value of the boat? Should I stop now? Tough question to ponder.

Bob Borelli 1995 C320 no. 209

________________________________

From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com<mailto:c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com>> on behalf of Troy Dunn via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com<mailto:c320...@lists.catalina320.com>>

Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 7:11 PM

To: C320...@catalina320.com<mailto:C320...@catalina320.com> <C320...@catalina320.com<mailto:C320...@catalina320.com>>
Cc: Troy Dunn <troutw...@gmail.com<mailto:troutw...@gmail.com>>

[Laura Gwinn via C320-list]

Thats about what mine was.

Sent from Gmail Mobile

On Wed, Nov 5, 2025 at 15:34 Bob Borelli <cassa...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Thank you Laura!
> I just got a quote from Foss Foam Products for shaft & rudder, less then
> $4,000 shipped to boat yard.
> Seems resonable price.
> Bob Borelli

> ------------------------------
> *From:* Laura Gwinn <laura.g...@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 5, 2025 3:30 PM
> *To:* C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
> *Cc:* Bob Borelli <cassa...@hotmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [C320-list] Bent rudder shaft - how to fix?

>
> When I had my rudder replaced last year, we initially used Foss but they
> sent the wrong rudder! I still dont know where the “glitch” was:
> bostyard or Foss. Then boatyard ended up using a company in Idaho (of
> all places) cuz Foss shuts down in Aug. Both companies easy to work with
> and responsive.
>
> Sent from Gmail Mobile
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 5, 2025 at 15:09 Bob Borelli via C320-list <

> c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> Thank you all for your responses!
>
> Troy - Today I filed a claim with BoatU.S. Sent 2 pics. BoatU.S. sent
> app to take virtual pics. Will do. John LeClair tremendous help!
> Responds quickly! If I didn't have to chase the people at last 2 marinas,
> I would not have moved to Worton.
>
> Jack - I sent an email to Foss Foam Products of Florida for info on new
> rudder, very good tip, thank you!
>
> Mark - Yes fwd top end of rudder rubbing against hull. No apparent damage
> to hull tube joint outside or inside but will further check once rudder
> removed.
>
> Dave - thanks for forwarding the Foss Foam email.
>
> The Worton Creek Marina will remove the rudder & shaft & send to Miller
> Island Propeller, Sparrows Creek, MD. Maybe the shaft canbe straightened.
> If not new rudder & shaft.
>
> I am asking myself this question - will the cost of this fix be worth the
> value of the boat? Should I stop now? Tough question to ponder.
>
> Bob Borelli 1995 C320 no. 209
>
> ________________________________

> From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of

> Troy Dunn via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>

> Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 7:11 PM

> To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
> Cc: Troy Dunn <troutw...@gmail.com>

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Bob-
You are asking if "the cost of the repair is worth it .... should I stop now?".
I may be wrong but guess that insurance very likely will cover all your costs (except maybe a deductible?). It shouldn't  just cover the cost of a new rudder (and shipping).... I believe insurance should cover all the related yard work (extra lift use, disassembly, finishing a new "raw" rudder, and reassembly).  If the rudder tube is damaged that also should be covered. Did you get towed? Also included. Make sure to get itemized repair invoices/receipts. 
You mentioned about the yard suggesting to send the old rudder out to see if it can be straightened. I do know if that is advisable due to extra cost and uncertainty if it will work.  However, if insurance would pay you for a new rudder, maybe you would pocket some of the payout if a rudder repair worked out. 
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Wed, Nov 5, 2025 at 3:09 PM, Bob Borelli via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Thank you all for your responses!

[Laura Gwinn via C320-list]

I had a very good experience with GEICO/Boat US on same issue (grounded,
but TowBoat broke the rudder pulling ne off with poor technique).
GEICO paid for everything related to thst; the yard fees, towing, pulling
the shaft to inspect for damage. All I paid was deductible and the things
I had done while it was out (painting, cutlass bearing, new dripless).
Laura Gwinn
S/V Odyssey
Kent Island MD
Sent from Gmail Mobile

[Bob Borelli via C320-list]

Thank you Laura. I filed a claim with GEICO BoatUS.
Today the appraiser contacted me.
So maybe hope I will get some coverage.
In the meantime the marina is busy hauling boats.
Hope springs eternal.


________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Laura Gwinn via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 6, 2025 6:35 AM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Laura Gwinn <laura.g...@gmail.com>