MacGregorSailors.com

I've mentioned this before about my rudders being too long to lower whilst on the trailer which I think is down to my trailer being on 12" wheels.

What I am considering is shortening them so I can lower them before launching.

They appear to be made from something other than GRP, they look like solid nylon where the anti-fouling has rubbed off. Is this so? Are they solid or hollow and can I safely take a saw to them to shorten them?

The alternative would be to rig some kind of lowering system to them which could be done whilst afloat rather like that on the 26.

Any thoughts?

Sorry, no knowledge of the Mac 19 rudders. However, I'd compare shortening them
-- regardless the reasons -- as akin to Solomon's dividing the baby. Avoid it at all costs, or forego any sailing efficiency.

I'm only talking 1" here surely that will have little impact on a rudder that is probably 20" long!

Pacamac-uk wrote:I'm only talking 1" here surely that will have little impact on a rudder that is probably 20" long!

Why not increase your trailer wheel size? The Mac19 rudders are none too long anyway snd shortening them might seriously degrade performance.

Another thought - use a drop receiver on your tow vehicle. That will lower the tongue while raising the stern.

Richard_Norman wrote:Another thought - use a drop receiver on your tow vehicle. That will lower the tongue while raising the stern.

That's what I would try first - it's a cheap experiment. Heck, buy the drop receiver at Wal-Mart. You know they'll take it back if this method doesn't work for you.

Good ideas guys but I can't use larger wheels as I store the boat on the trailer in a domestic garage with limited headroom through the door. The boat goes under with less than 1" to spare. Yes I could buy larger wheels for trailering and change wheels for storage but I've got 3 nearly new wheels and tyres and the financial controller gets twitchy at such 'unnecessary' expenditure! You know how it is.

As to a drop down hitch, my BMW 3-series Touring is pretty low anyway and I already have to remove the jockey wheel so as not to ground it and burst the tyre which I did the first time I towed the boat!

But what is the rudder made from as I want to drill some holes to fit pull-up lines? If it's hollow that may change how I go about it.

Pacamac-uk wrote:
But what is the rudder made from as I want to drill some holes to fit pull-up lines? If it's hollow that may change how I go about it.

My original rudders are pretty banged up but they appear to have a somewhat porous interior from what I can cee. My replacement rudders are solid HDPE.

You could have either type (or something entirely different). Rudders are expensive!

Pacamac-uk, please wait 2-3 day and I'll send photo my modification for rudders. Please don't cut it !!!!

Thanks Alex.

Don't worry I'm not about to take a saw to the rudders as I have discovered that the new ramp at the marina is so shallow a gradient that I have to unhitch the trailer and launch on the end of a rope. This means I can lower the jockey wheel to allow the rudders to be lowered. It's a bit of a performance though!

I'm am very interested in your rudder mods, so thanks for the offer. Perhaps PM if that's easier?

OK , final we have the nice weather and I did photos. I hope all easy for understand

Many thanks for that. Looks great, just what I had in mind.

One question, how did you attach the line to the top of the rudder below the rudder tube?

Drill hole for rope in the rudder Diam. 10mm and 5cm deep.
Put inside the rope and fill Epoxy. If you need to replace line, drill again....
Good Luck
BTW Yesterday hit my personal speed record for Mac 19 under sails...
11,8km/h Wind was 25km/h , gusts 35km/h

Way to go Alex.

Glad you are having fun out there.

When are you bringing her up to my pond?

I will try to keep up

G

Beene, no problem, this week Thu or Fri. from 8am till sunset...........

Richard_Norman wrote:

Pacamac-uk wrote:
But what is the rudder made from as I want to drill some holes to fit pull-up lines? If it's hollow that may change how I go about it.

My original rudders are pretty banged up but they appear to have a somewhat porous interior from what I can cee. My replacement rudders are solid HDPE.

You could have either type (or something entirely different). Rudders are expensive!

Removed my rudders for modification today and they seem to be solid plastic not GRP or other composite so I assume they are HDPE (white solid plasticky material?) or similar.

Following Alex's advice I intend to drill and fit pull-down/pull-up ropes. I will drill from the top to the side at 45 deg. so as to be able to knot off the lift rope for easy replacement.

Thanks for your help guys.