Rudder or Daggerboard

This Instructable shows you how to make an aluminium rudder or daggerboard.

It uses the windknife extruded aluminium nose section from www.windknife,com

Step 1: What Do I Need?

You will need

1. a nose section from www.windknife.com
2. Two 2mm thick aluminium plates for the tail section. I recommend anodised aluminium plate.
3. A degreasing agent.
4. Epoxy glue, I recommend araldite 2015, as that has been approved for marine use.

Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Surfaces for Bonding

Start by degreasing the surfaces you are about to glue, this is an extremely important step and any contamination ill weaken the joint.

Then apply an even layer glue to the the upper surfaces of the nose section and one of the tail plates.

Step 3: Bonding the Rear Plates to the Nose Section

Clamp the parts together firmly.

I would strongly recommend cleaning any excess glue at this stage as it much more difficult to clean once the glue has hardened.

Leave to cure following the adhesive suppliers guidelines, usually around 6 hours.

Step 4: Bond the Trailing Edge

Clean and de-grease the trailing edge surfaces of the rear plate.

Apply a layer of glue

Clamp the trailing edge and leave to cure. fully.

Step 5: The Completed Rudder

The rudder board is now complete.

•The finished product is a lightweight very strong aluminium foil

• Similar to aluminium foils found on dinghies such as 49’er and Laser Pico.

• Buoyancy can be added using closed cell aerosol foam.

• For further information go to the website www.windknife.com