Question:
How to Build/Buy sailboat rudder?
need to acquire a rudder for an 70's era 26' trailerable.
Manufacturer defunct, but I can copy an existing model.
Don't know where to ask (Rudder's are Us?) in No. Calif.
area. Saw an article once where someone rebuilt one,
started with a "tree" of metal, then formed core(what is
it- foam,wood, unobtanium?) then glassed and finished it.
The rudder must feel some pretty big stresses, is this a
job best done by a pro, or can a person with a book and
patience do it. Any reccomendation for a builder or
manual would be appreciated.
Answer:
- Rudder post could be wood or Stainless pipe. 1.25" to 1.5" dia should be
ample for a metal rudder post, for wood you will need something about like
an oak 2x6 rounded out on the leading edge at and below the waterline.
Straps are usually used on the front half, welded to the post if metal is
used, or wraped around if wood. Use rod or long bolts for the aft half up
through the strapped part, using plugs in the holes. It needs some air
foil shape to keep from stalling and having too much drag. You can get
books in most libraries on NACA foil shapes, but it's generally shaped
like the top of an airplane wing on each side. Max width should be 30% of
the length behind the forward edge of the post, and about 10% of the
fore/aft length. Trailing edge should be square, about 1/4" wide.
Assuming this is a sail boat, your rudder should be 20% to 25% of the size
of your keel. Long and narrow is more efficient, but more likely to hit
the bottom.
- Well-known professional cruiser John Neal wote a book about his first
big voyage, "Log of the Mahina." He made the trip in a Vega from Puget
Sound to the South Pacific and his rudder failed in exactly this way in
the Cook Islands. In addition, there are reports of rudder failure
about three or four times per year in the Vega Newsletter.
Other Vega owners are just renovating their rudders by chiseling out
the iron, pounding in some reinforcement, and rewelding. I think a
rudder fabrication would be a great garage project. The big expense
would be the shaft - it is a solid piece of 25mm (*) stainless about 5
ft long. Estimates for a yard to build this rudder vary from $2000 -
$5000, with about $500 or that being the cost of the shaft.
Alternatively, there is a rudder from a wrecked Vega on the bottom of
the Bay somewhere down here near Redwood City. Arg, matey, are ye salty
enough to go treasure hunting?
- try to copy the rudder on a similar boat....
rudder hardware is available in catalogs
use marine plywood to build up the thickness you need...
cover with epoxy and fiberglass cloth...
If you can't do all that look for someone who builds
small boats in your area.
