Best way to stow H23 rudder when moored

[isaksp00]

New boat to me. I keep it on a mooring, on a lake.

Any advice on how best to stow it when moored? For example, locked in the fully down position? left to float freely?

I have so far (been in the water a few weeks) simply used a line tied from one stern side rail, wrapped around the tiller with a clove hitch, then tied to the opposte rail to center the tiller - not the most convenient technique, but I guess it works.

While I have not (yet) tied a line to the trailing edge, so I can lift it, it does not look like it can hinge up very far, that is, totally out of the water. In any case, there is no obvious place to tie the upper end of a line to, which would hold the rudder up. Does anyone do this?

Thanks, Peter

 

[Deleted member 78819]

Hello Peter. I had a Hunter 23 for many years. There should be a line attached to the top of the blade that exits the rudder housing through a sheeve, then up through a fairlead to a cleat to hold her down. She should float up all by herself if that line is released, else kick up if you hit something. I tried the same method you did to center/secure the rudder dead center on my mooring ball but the chafe on the tiller was unexceptable. I had to refinish the tiller. After that I purchased a Can Sail tiller lock that I used for securing the rudder when single handing her or at the mooring ball.

http://www.cansail.com/

 

[isaksp00]

Thanks for the info. I do have the "hold down" line and cam cleat, and yes, the rudder does float up when released. I think I'm going to buy a tiller cover, so maybe that would help solve any tiller chafing. I'll look at the tiller lock too. So you found it best to moor wiht the rudder floating up, right?

 

[inarathree]

I have a H22 so I am not sure if it works the same, but I use an old length of line, where I tied a loop in it. I slip the loop over the end of the rudder, then pull the rudder all the way out of the water. I secure the two ends to cleats on the deck.

 

[Deleted member 78819]

Thanks for the info. I do have the "hold down" line and cam cleat, and yes, the rudder does float up when released. I think I'm going to buy a tiller cover, so maybe that would help solve any tiller chafing. I'll look at the tiller lock too. So you found it best to moor wiht the rudder floating up, right?

Actually, no... I kept the rudder locked down on the mooring ball. I was concerned that other boaters would hit it if I left it floating as it sticks out quite a bit. I had ablative antifouling paint on the rudder blade as well as the bottom. Stayed pretty clean.