"Ding" in my rudder and repair needed

At the end of this season I was moving very slowly in reverse and banged the base of my rudder in reverse; put a 1-2 inch "crush" hole in the rudder glass; after hauling did not notice any watering evidence of the rudder. I have to patch this and it does not look to be too bad a job; I don't think I need to remove the keel "shoe" under the rudder, though the marina folks say it should be removed to properly make the rudder repair. Several other nautical "dermatologists" and craftspeople disagree.. Any helpful comments out there as I think I'll do this work myself and NOT remove the keel shoe.....

I sailed the boat for three weeks after this incident with no discrenable negative affects noticed at the helm...
Hope others out there can offer comments and suggestions before I start this project in late April.
Paul Helweg; Wickford, RI

Hayden, I appreciate your comments. All along I've been circumspect of the marina/yard manager who quoted me a price of $3,300 to remove the weed whatever, remove and repair this small hole in the rudder. Several other local marine "glass" people looked at it and none said it was more than a $500 job at the most. Not having had experience in this area I wasn't sure but was almost certain the marina manager was just doing a good job of trying to "soaK' the customer.

I intend to do the job myself and perhaps shell out a maximum of $300 for some help from one of the local glass experts. Just needed some reassurance before taking that tack.

More to follow but I feel much better.

I'll also be in Sanibel Island, FL in another month and intend to drive up to Largo and visit the Island Packet shop there and learn a bit more about our boat. Should be very educational and interesting.

best,
Paul Helweg/Wickford, RI