Rudders

[Nick]

Lying in bed one night I was thinking mods. What can I do about the rudders? I would like to have less slop in the responsiveness of the rudders and am tired of connecting and reconnecting the motor. Here's what I thought of and I am quite prepared to be shot down in flames. If a housing was attached to the motor on each side that held two dagger style rudders that when up are out of the water for fast motoring and when down combined with the motor create a more central control unit. This could even have direct cable linkage to the helm and so there would be no slop. By dispensing with the two outer rudders you would also gain better access through the stern of the boat. Stern in docking would also be easier on the M as the rudders do tend to stick out a bit. With vertically adjustable rudders manoeuvring in shallow water would also be improved. I know it means the motor will be always down but I am not sure this will slow the boat too much. Any way that was my thought for the day. I am not sure that I have the skills to perform this mod so I am placing it out there to get a reaction. Cheers Nick

[technicalman]

Post a diagram if you can. That's an interesting idea.

[Paul L]

Around here, with the exception of storms, we don't get enough steady sailing wind to notice any "slop in the rudders". Does your design disconnect the motor linkage under sail? It's pretty hard to steer otherwise.

[Phil M]

I got rid of 'rudder slop' by cutting and trimming a couple of old CD's for each side of each rudder. They act as washers too.

Phil M

[Nick]

I too have used an acrylic washer to reduce the play in the rudder stock but there appears to be a lot more movement in the various linkages to the steering cable which are all bolts through drilled holes with very average tolerances. It still seems to work OK but I just like things to work even better. Cheers Nick