Rudder Modification

[Jenquay]

Has Anyone modified the original one piece rudder into a kick up rudder on a V25? We see some good ideas we might incorporate. Our budget is too limited to buy one. Nothing shows up in the Mac Mods section. In fact nothing comes up in a search for the word rudder at all. Looking forward to great ideas from Mac sailors. Thanks, Jennifer (I should have said "rudder modifications." We're trying to modify an antique!

[Hamin' X]

I'm not much help with the modification that you want, but you must have done something wrong on your search. When I search the Mac Mods for the word "rudder", I get 60 hits.

~Rich

[Catigale]

I took some pictures down in Mayo MD when I sailed with Colonel King...I'll try find and post later today...

[Bob McLellan]

When I was talking to a member of The Sailboat Shop here in Arizona about changing the rudder to a kick-up, he said just cut the one on the boat in half - add aluminum plates each side - bolt to the top and have a pivot bolt to allow the lower half to swing. Well, that is a little over simplified, but easy enough. However, I went ahead and made a complete new system from scratch. I still have the original one piece rudder with the tiller still attached.

[Jenquay]

That is pretty much what I have in mind with the plates. I also like the idea of gas struts to hold the rudder down while sailing and up while trailering. Two struts would add better balance and in case one fails, the other still holds position. Also cutting away the top portion from just below the lower pintle about 3" aft of the front edge, angling to just below the tiller on the back edge. Add two aluminum strips 3" x 1/4" (maybe 3/8") vertically on each side to maintain structural integrity. The rudder may have to be moved aft 3" to allow room to pivot upwards. Anyone have an idea how that might affect steerage? All still in the thought process. Open to thoughts. - Jennifer

[THE CUSCUS]

Pretty sure you don't want to move the rudder aft any more than it is, if you search on this site, quite afew have added to their rudders on the forward edge to reduce weather helm. So by this logic, moving the rudder aft willl likely increase your weather helm. Don't cut "straight" across, leave a circular radiused tab on the back edge so you have a spot to put the pivot through (search this site for pictures of the "stock" Mac folding rudder.

[topcat0399]

Shes got a few few replies to this same thread over at sailboatowners.


happy sails