Update January 2003.  Spring of  2001 I repaired the rudder by tightening the lag screws and bolts.  I filled the plugs around the thghtened nuts with epoxy (over greased hardware.)  I re-attached the prop plug.  I removed the paint to do this work and filled a few chips, cracks and dents.  The gaps were cleaned of extraneous paint, etc. but allowed to remain as they had been for 35 plus years.

After approximately 35 years of being sailed and hauled, the planks of my lauan (phillipine mahogany) rudder are separated by about 3/32nds of an inch.  The five bronze drift pins (approx 1/4" dia) connecting them do not appear to be corroded.  The bolts and lag screws connecting the forward most plank with the bronze rudder stock seem to be in okay shape.  Only the top bolt is a little loose allowing a 16th or so of movement if I push on the rudder towards the stock.

This photo shows the state of affairs in March 2000.  It was hauled in December.
With these gaps there is quite a bit of flex in the assembly.   I have remove the semi-horizontal slats applied to the surface.

UPDATE:  Now that it has been in the water for a month and a half I have finally gone diving to see the wet condition.  All the gaps are gone as was predicted by the experts that responded to my post on the Wooden Boat Forum.  THANKS again.

It appears to be the original rudder from 1965!  Next winter I might build a new rudder.

Here are some related and unrelated links:
Boom Vang Issues Page

Our 1965 Pearson Commander Page
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