wooden rudder and dagger are in bad shape

[barnmom]

Last winter I tried to sand and varnish and sand and varnish and sand and varnish myself. Still look really bad. So before I cave and buy new ones, I wanted to ask you if you think it would make sense to find a carpenter to give it a go. Otherwise I'll buy new but not wood again--too much wear and tear.

 

[Charles Howard]

The foil new ones have better performance. Also. send a picture of your board and issues. Prior to the foil boards we all use to varnish our boards each season.

 

[barnmom]

Thanks. I will send pictures tomorrow. What does foil mean? I see Sunfish direct sells fiberglass for $370.

 

[tag]

Intensity Sails has cheaper options for the rudder and daggerboard (not class legal if you’re a racer).

Parts & Sails for The Sunfish & SOL

 

[barnmom]

Thats a great lead, their prices are much more affordable. Thank you!

 

[barnmom]

The foil new ones have better performance. Also. send a picture of your board and issues. Prior to the foil boards we all use to varnish our boards each season.

Here are pictures

 

[LVW]

Sometimes, when a good sanding takes off the oxidized surface, there's beautiful wood underneath. Varnish will bring out the grain. I've used epoxy, followed by varnish.

Untreated, someone at eBay (or here) will be glad to have them.

 

[Oldfish newfish]

I just tried an aerosouth rudder and daggerboard and found them way better than anything I've ever used. Outstanding! Consider them if you buy.
The boards you have do look easily fixable though. I would do that first.

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[Nicholson58]

your stuff looks totally restorable.

Found a new to me super varnish, Man of War. We used on our exterior wood last season in the Caribbean. It looks perfect after seven months of sun. Also, use Marine grade epoxy to fill deep flaws. Remove and keep wood parts out of the sun.

McCloskey Man O’War Marine Spar Varnish – Seela’s Paint and Wallpaper

another pretty good varnish is Minwax Spar Varnish.