Our A-cat fleet has only one type of A-cats: year 2000, Bim2000s-- each purchased used from different countries over the last years. Some of these received new carbon rudder assemblies, mine came with carbon replacements for the aluminum tube sections, others were pure stock.

As with nearly all Catamarans, we are constantly struggling with the rudder assemblies. Pintles unscrew from the hull and must be regularly inspected. Bungee cords holding down the rudders are difficult to replace and require constant attention. Others, mysteriously pop up for completely unknown reasons. For all these reasons, plus the risk of one day damaging a set, we want to have a spare set of rudder assembly for the fleet. Who makes a good set of A-cat rudders and rudder housings? Bimmare or someone else?

Our conditions are deep water with some occasional sea grass, so we would always want the 'tightest' setting for any pop-up mechanism.

Thanks,

Matt

I dont like Bimare's rudder housing and hold down mechanisms.

You have two choices:
1. Custom modify them so that they kickup differiently
2. Upgrade to another brand of rudders

I'd upgrade the whole system to the Flyer version or the Marstrom version. Both are better, both are expensive.

If you want to modify the way they pop up, I'd recommend using some PBO and running it to a clam cleat. Using a 2to1 purchase would give you the tighest setting. See the attached picture.

Bill

Get the AHPC stocks and lock down mechanism ( www.AHPC.com.au ) or similar ones made by www.catamaranparts.nl

I have the AHPC setup and I have none of the issue you write about. I tuned my rudders one two years ago and have not worked on them since. Next season I will have to replace the tape that secures the adjustment nutt but that is all. I warmly recommend these setups. Neither of them are very expensive. Catamaranparts can even make them to suit the width of your current rudders.

Wouter

Dare I say it.. Pictures Wouter??
I have never seen good and descriptive pictures of the AHPC system.

I'm not at home tight now, give me a couple of days.

Wouter

AHPC has a PDF document w/pictures on their web site:

http://www.ahpc.com.au/pdf/Using%20Smart%20Lk%20Snap%20System.pdf

I have this system on my 2000ish Boyer Mk 4 A-class.

http://www.catsailor.com/bb_files/76755-DSC00766.JPG

this is a picture of the Boyer Acat Carbon rudder system. I recommend them. That rod holds the rudders up and down and has a hard rubber center that flexes when you hit something and the pin pops out of the whole it fits in. Simple, effective.

Not cheap, $1400 for the whole system.

Bill

Bill,

do you have any closeups of the rod? It seems like the rod is the key to the whole system.

Here you go Rolf

Here a pic of it "unlocked"

The Pin is just enough off center of the whole that it flexes the rod a bit. Pressing it in locks the rudder down.

Locked down

Flexed rod keeps the rudder down until it hits something and then it flexes more and the pin pops out.

Right, thank you Bill! Looks like something I could build myself..

heres the adjustment

Rolf,
You are welcome,

You could build it yourself, for sure, the hardest part would be finding the right hard rubber part with the right flex. The rest is pretty standard SS parts.

Shake Design in Germany makes a similar rudder system to the marstrom. http://www.shakedesign.de/rudder.htm
Designed for A-Cat and F18ht, and can also used at
an F16.
I can't say something about the pros and cons for use in real life, but i will probably give them a try on my coming F16.
Holger

Who did you buy it from.

I got two of those stocks (as they are standard to Taipan 4.9's as well) for 450 Euro's including shipping to EU.

Wouter

That isn't rubber, but a solid glass rod with a heatshrink tube shrunk over it.

Measure the diameter of the rod and the system is relatively easy to copy. You just have to get a few of the details right in order to make it easy to engage and disengage. Like rounding the end of this pin.

Wouter

Are you asking me who I bought these rudders from?

I got them from a guy in Annapolis who didnt finish his ACat, he sold them to me at cost.

I'm looking at his original Goodall Yacht Sails invoice dated 6/2005
Pair Flyer Carbon Rudders $679
Pair Carbon rudder stock complete $714.54
Aus Dollars not including freight.

So right now $1393AUD = $834 Euro = $1071 USD

At $450 Euro delivered, you didnt get the rudders, right?

Bill

I did get the whole set but I only gave the pricing of the rudderstocks as that is what is needed, they already have the rudder boards themselfs.

I think www.catamaranparts.nl is cheaper then AHPC in the way of stocks and again they can make the stocks to any specified rudder board width.


My invoice 18/july/2003 had :

V-series rudders (carbon) Aud$ 517
F16 Carbon rudder stocks with lock down arms Aud$ 512

Sub Total 1029 Aud = would now be 617 Euro's for the whole setup ex shipping = 791 USD$

Shipping was not more then 100 bucks for these items, so I guess I even payed less then 450 for the stocks.

Bill, it is interesting to see that these AHPC stocks and rudders have gotten significantly more expensive over the two years between me purchase and "yours". That or they just ask a little more if the stocks are to be fitted to an A-cat. People expect to pay more for these boats afterall. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> (joke !)

Anyway, this is the whole picture for anyone who is interested in these

Wouter

You obviously bought the slow rudders.

The fast rudders are more expensive.