Need suggestion to keep rudder set while sailing

[gregoryh]

I purchased a 1991 26S this Spring and still have the stock rudder attached. When I picked up the boat the previous owner had several holes drilled into the rudder and had attached a line that helps raise it out of the water and another near the leading edge that had a metal cable running up to the tiller which allowed the rudder to be set when sailing. On my frst trip out I scraped the bottom and the metal cable snapped and steering was very difficult. Afterward I noticed that there is yet another hoel drilled in the rudder which looks like a place for a pin or bolt to keep the rudder in place. I put a 3/8 inch bolt in there and things have been great except that this past weekend I actually grounded and had a bear of a time getting unstuck because the force of the grounding bent the bolt in my rudder. The rudder is ok but I am now thinking that something "permanent" like a bolt holding the rudder in postion is not the most intelligent idea out there. My question is what can I do to lock the rudder in position when sailing but will come undone if I ground the boat and the rudder needs to swing to prevent it from getting damamged. I had tried the metal cable once but without success since my boat is in the water and crimping the pin to set it couldn't be done. I am thinking of just attaching a rope to the leading edge and having a cleat attached to the tiller. My concern is that it wouldn't be strong enough. Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

[haruspex9]

I drilled a 3/8" hole at the top of the rudder (in the down position) right next to the rudder castle and slid in a 6" long red oak dowel. Keeps the rudder down even in a strong current but the ends break off if it kicks up hard. Hope that helps

[argonaut]

A wood dowel would snap on impact allowing the rudder to pivot but then you've got to get it down again to be able to control the boat.
I think a better solution would be to just buy some shock cord (bungee cord, rubber rope....) at a marine store in a size that fits in your leading edge hole and replace the steel cord with that.
Pass one end through your rudder hole where the steel cord was, figure 8 knot the end. The other end gets cleated on the stern or tiller.
When you launch you pull the bungee tight to position your rudder down, then cleat it off (assuming there already is one for this purpose... if not one could be added on the tiller.)
Then whenever you hit something the rudder pivots up then snaps back into place under then tension of the bungee.
That's how both my X rudders are rigged and it's how I had my ancient V-17 set up.
By the time you realize you've hit something you rudder is back in action. and you maintain steering.
The shock cord wears out after about a season. Get it cut to length with a hot knife at the store to keep the ends from fraying too.

[gregoryh]

Thanks, that seems like a simple but effective solution. And it's a great time for me to fix this as well since I had to pull the boat out of the water with Hurricaine Irene bearing down on us in NC.

[robbarnes1965]

I am completely ignorant about the 26S setup as I have an M but if you look at an M there are cleats mounted on either side of the seat to cleat one of two lines for each rudder. They are lines , not cables and one is to hold the rudder down and one for up. There are bolt holes but they are for TRAILORING only. I tend to tie the rudders in down position but un-cleat them if I am going into sketchy depths. I could probably leave them float but find they kick up a bit too easy.

Hope it helps.

Rob

[mastreb]

Might consider sailing in some deeper water

[DaveB]

You may want to try a quick Release cam. I have one for each rudder on my Mac.X and they do work very well. You will need to use 1/4 line. Duckworks has them along with few other places.Here is duck works site.
Saved my rudders a few times and brackets.

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/cl ... /index.htm

Dave

I purchased a 1991 26S this Spring and still have the stock rudder attached. When I picked up the boat the previous owner had several holes drilled into the rudder and had attached a line that helps raise it out of the water and another near the leading edge that had a metal cable running up to the tiller which allowed the rudder to be set when sailing. On my frst trip out I scraped the bottom and the metal cable snapped and steering was very difficult. Afterward I noticed that there is yet another hoel drilled in the rudder which looks like a place for a pin or bolt to keep the rudder in place. I put a 3/8 inch bolt in there and things have been great except that this past weekend I actually grounded and had a bear of a time getting unstuck because the force of the grounding bent the bolt in my rudder. The rudder is ok but I am now thinking that something "permanent" like a bolt holding the rudder in postion is not the most intelligent idea out there. My question is what can I do to lock the rudder in position when sailing but will come undone if I ground the boat and the rudder needs to swing to prevent it from getting damamged. I had tried the metal cable once but without success since my boat is in the water and crimping the pin to set it couldn't be done. I am thinking of just attaching a rope to the leading edge and having a cleat attached to the tiller. My concern is that it wouldn't be strong enough. Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.

[phil kelly]

Auto release cam cleat to hold it down, jamming cleat for the pull up line ( saves wrapping the line round a horn cleat to hold the rudders up )
Works fine on my X ( boat that is, not wife )

[gregoryh]

Thanks everyone for the great advice.