A close inspection of ‘Minnow’s’ rudder revealed minute gaps
between the fibreglassing and the metal strip protecting the leading edge.
Instead of being encapsulated with fibreglass folded over the edge, the builder
appears of have taken the cloth as far as the brass capping piece. That may
have been OK when built, but over time tiny gaps have developed. The result is
that water could enter the plywood, possibly causing delaminating. Water
permanently trapped within the sheathing would not be good for the plywood.
Well, today, I cleaned up the leading edge and filled the
gaps with epoxy. Providing water tightness can be maintained, there should be
no further problem. Because the temperature was only 9 degrees Celsius I made a
tent from a tarpaulin that I arranged over the rudder for trapping warm air from
my miniature blow heater and an electric inspection lamp. By late afternoon the
epoxy had hardened.
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