A good weekends sailing under the belt.. time to consult the wisdom of the forum. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am looking to simplify my rudder arrangement. As I can only sail every other weekend I trailer my boat everywhere so I can sail both days. The system I have works well but is rather time consuming to set up. Can anybody suggest a “whack it on and away you go” system. The rudders that came with my boat are very tired so I’m thinking that rather than get some new boards to replace the old ones, the opportunity is there to do a complete overhaul.

2nd Question. The current arrangement I have is providing a very light and neutral helm. They do, however, seem to be to be angled a long way forward. As I seem to be (notwithstanding the nut on the end of the tiller) “very”slow in light breezes against the taipan 4.9’s. (I know they are quicker, but they seem to go by me like I’m standing still). I am suspicious that the forward rake of the rudders is compensating for some other problem in tuning. As a general rule, what would be the maximum angle forward of vertical for the leading edge.

Thanks in anticipation

That realy depends on the shape of the rudder blade out line. Also where the tip is in relation to the straight line through the pintles is important.

Maybe we can have a look at them in 2 weeks, assuming you will be around for the Vic. Cat Champs.

Thanks Gary,

I guess it's a little difficult to judge without seeing them. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
I will indeed be there for the Cat Champs. Can't think of a better place to learn. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Look forward to seeing you there.

Regards

Starting point from rudders rake on your rudders is "sight a line down thought the guidons pins and the very bottom leading edge of the rudder should be 20mm in front of that".
But if you have a little and neutral helm they are most likely not bad.

Regards
Peter

Simon,

Here's something to consider if the rudder system is all too messy. It's something I've been considering as it gets the rudders stored vertically and out of the way with one swing.
The image was courtesy of Andrew DeLaine at Lake Bonney Yacht Club.

Regarding your 2nd question if the rudder leading edge is perpendicular to the deck and aligned with the line of sight through the pintles then all should be OK. Some like to have a slight rake forward but this shouldn't affect your tacking ability.

Watch the Taipan skippers and how smoothly they tack. If you seem to be stopped still then you probably are. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> It may just be a matter of technique but probably would be a good idea to get one of the experts to have a look at your setup.

Regards,

Peter

Thanks for the help gentlemen. I'll check out some systems at the cat champs and down at Loch Sport in Nov. and go from there.

Just a curiosity... I was rigging next to a PT on the weekend and noticed that his carbon rudders were about the same as mine re width and length. I checked their website and it seems that they are $100-$200 cheaper per pair than the prices I got from the obvious suppliers for Mozzies.... ???

Which website?

Simon,
A set of carbon rudders from Joey is $618 a per of lock down arms from Goodalls about $110, Aluminium rudder boxes from SA ?? you would have to put it together or a set of carbon rudders stocks ready to go in the $658.38

Peter

Hi Guys,

Tim

The website I got to was a link from the vic PT website. Forgot to bookmark it but the price was 290/board. My comparison was against some enquires a couple of months ago which got 700 for a pr of Mckenzies or 800 plus from AHPC.

Clearly I was looking in the wrong place.

Peter,

time is always short so a "ready to go set" up has appeal.

I'm planning to treat myself when the tax return arrives so I'll follow up with you then.

Thanks for the info,

Regards

Made a pair of stocks for this w/e regatta but with the winds forcast I dont think they are strong enough weighing in at 350g. They werent that hard to make either.
Going to make a set out of slightly thicker wall thickness so it will be able to handle the heavier conditions.
Ive got a set weighing in at 500g ea.

William

Carbon, Will?

Alloy Matt.
Havent got the right equipment to muck around with carbon yet.

Simon,

I agree with what Peter said....the bits are available (or were) from the SA Association and a good set of lock down blades...At the moment I don't know which of either Bushranger or Joey's I would get....Joey's centreboard I got recently are brilliant and workmanship excellent....and the same could be said for the bushranger blades

The lockdown system is the easiest and work well.

So it is personal choice and it is one area that strong is good, not much point sailing if you can't steer.

Enjoy the decisions ahead of you

David
"Banh Sidhe"

If you have a compressor a sheet of plate glass a 33mm x3mm allunimium tube and the ability to slice it down the centre , some hose clamps and some time it is not hard to make a really good set of carbon stocks. If you have a vacuum pump as well it is even better.
The last set I made weighed around 400gms although they could be made lighter.
You can produce a really neat stiff steering system with no play in it at all with so little friction between the stock and blade that you can easily raise the leeward blade with a shock chord and lower it with a line to drop off weed while fully powered up on your normal close hauled course.
I think I did a write up on catsailor a couple years back on how to do it. Anyone interested could probably find it with the search function of this site.

Regards,
Phill