Rudder Problems

[Tsatzsue]

I have a V25 with what appears to be a stock tiller- rudderr assembly. I have not yet figured out how the rudder is supposed to be pulled down. I have to either straddle the transom to push it down with my foot or push it down with a paddle while pulling on the down tension rope. Both are a pain in the butt. I can't imagine doing this in bad weather. Does any one know the proper rope configuration? 1977 V25. Any help would be appreciated.

BTW...the boat is a blast. Buzzards bay on fathers day weekend with the boys. Got 8.5 kn while surfiing 3-5 foot folowing seas. White caps and all.

[shawndutchcanadian]

Hi Tsatzsue:
I Have a 1976 v25. And I don't think my rudder is original, in fact it didn't have any lines on the rudder to hold it down when I got it.....
Here's what I did:
I connected a pulley to the the forward side of the rudder blade.
I placed 2 fair leads, one right at the top of the blade, and another at the lowest point on the fixed (upper) part of the rudder
I then ran a line from a fixed cleat on the very top of the rudder, down through the fair leads to the pulley, and back up through the fair leads to a cam cleat at the top of the rudder, where I can control the height of the rudder quite easily from the cockpit.
Hope that helps...
8.5kn!!!!! WOW!!

[Tsatzsue]

Thanks. That is a great idea. I am going to draw it out now.

I can't wait to get out in some more good wind. That was the most fun sailing that I ever had.