Source for replacement fiberglass gudgeons and bronze pintles

  • March 24, 2017 3:05 PM
    Message # 4688665
    Anonymous

    Hi Bud. I am considering the Dave King mods to my keel. If I decide to go that route I would like to replace my stainless gudgeons and pintles with the fiberglass gugdeons w/bronze pintles. Please tell me you have a source for these.

     Also, I see Dave has suggested using Divinycell for building up the keel, and was unable to find any info on which weight/density foam to use.

    Will


  • March 25, 2017 4:27 PM
    Reply # 4690317 on 4688665

    Hello Will,

    The Divinycell foam used in the fairings is usually "H-80".

    One problem with changing the gudgeon and pintles from the original SS to the newer fiberglass is that the rudder is different.  The newer style Pintles will not fit on the old style rudder  The old style rudder could possibly be modified but it would not be an easy job.  If you are in need of new SS gudgeons, I may be able to find some.

    The fairing can, and has, been done around the SS gudgeons a number of times.  The main differences are 1) most of the fairing is done using 1/4" foam instead of 1/2" foam.  2)fairing is also done to the rudder. 

    Good Luck,     Dave

    Last modified: March 25, 2017 4:44 PM | Anonymous member
  • March 25, 2017 4:49 PM
    Reply # 4690319 on 4688665

    Will,

    A while back I had a fiberglass shop make a new rudder for a Westsail 32, and they made a set of fiberglass gudgeons to go with it.  The drawing of the construction of the fiberglass gudgeons is in my Westsail Service Manual.

  • March 25, 2017 7:19 PM
    Reply # 4690415 on 4688665
    Anonymous

    Thank you both for your replies. My rudder is construction is from the transitional period (1974,Hull #174) where it is fitted with the stainless gudgeons and pintles, but has the recesses for the bronze pintles. These have worked for the 20 years I've had my boat, although I needed to replace the pintles about 8 years ago due to corrosion, inspite of the fact that they were never without zincs. I've never been particularly pleased with the setup, and thought that if I go forward with the keel mods that it would be a good time to change to the glass at that time. I was reading one of your posts from 2014 where you had a new rudder built, and said the builders could also fabricate the gudgeons. Wondering if this is still an option?  I was also able to locate 1 1/4" silicon bronze rod from onlinemetals.com. that could be machined to work. What are the options?

    Will


  • April 01, 2017 6:24 PM
    Reply # 4707011 on 4688665
    Anonymous

    Bud

     Is there any way of having the fiberglass gudgeons made up by the same outfit that made the other set for you? This is really the way that I would like to proceed, as it justs seems to be a much tighter setup than the stainless. I did check out the drawings you provided in your manual but I honestly don't have enough faith in my fiberglass skills for making my own. Please let me know if this is a possibility, as I am really anxious to make these modifications.

    Thanks,

    Will




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