Does anyone have a rudder they bought from Rudder Craft
- Thread starter Rmalko
- Start date
I used to own a Balboa 26 with a Rudder Craft rudder. It was a significant upgrade. The design allowed for much more lift generation and as such I could execute course changes with much less rudder drag (i.e. I didn't have to turn the rudder as much with the new rudder).
I give them 5-stars for quality and performance. They are a bit $pendy.
I give them 5-stars for quality and performance. They are a bit $pendy.
I have a Ruddercraft rudder on my 19ft Mariner, bought by the previous owner. I love it, especially compared to the stock Mariner rudder.
Uses a gas cylinder to pressure rudder down but allows kickup over obstacles and then goes back down. I have tested this feature. A modest pull on the line brings it back up to horizontal where it is parallel to boat bottom for 10" draft. Another pull brings it vertically into the air.
Under sail, the helm is light in comparison to the stock rudder. Stock rudder is known for heavy weather helm in strong winds. I did not have that with the Ruddercraft rudder. Almost too light a feel in light airs.
I would not have a Mariner again without a Ruddercraft rudder. The only time I would use the stock rudder is for class racing where it is required.
Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19 Sweet P
Albemarle Sound, NC
Uses a gas cylinder to pressure rudder down but allows kickup over obstacles and then goes back down. I have tested this feature. A modest pull on the line brings it back up to horizontal where it is parallel to boat bottom for 10" draft. Another pull brings it vertically into the air.
Under sail, the helm is light in comparison to the stock rudder. Stock rudder is known for heavy weather helm in strong winds. I did not have that with the Ruddercraft rudder. Almost too light a feel in light airs.
I would not have a Mariner again without a Ruddercraft rudder. The only time I would use the stock rudder is for class racing where it is required.
Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19 Sweet P
Albemarle Sound, NC
If I am not mistaken, Rudder Craft manufactured the rudder I bought through Blue Water Yachts several years ago. The airfoil design produces significantly less turbulence than my stock rudder, resulting in an overall improvement in pointing and stability. Dependable and solid. No complaints.
I installed a Ruddercraft rudder on my C30 in 10/21 and like it. It significantly reduced the weather helm when motoring and has given me good performance. My only complaint is that when they turned the shaft, they did not do a final smoothing cut and there are tiny ridges in the shaft. The second photo has the tip of my calipers set at 0.100" and I cound 9-10 grooves so the shaft is bacially a 100 threads per in screw. It is likely that this would not cause a problem except that I did the graphite / epoxy repair to my rudder log at the same time I installed the rudder. The epoxy formed to the threads, and it was stiffer than I liked when I finished the repair but figured that was because there was no water in the log to lubricate it. That was not correct, and the steering is tighter than I like. At the time, I figured that the tiny grooves would quickly wear down and the rudder would be easier to steer. That also was not correct. In 2.5 years, it has not gotten any easier which speaks well for the hardness of the epoxy / graphite bearing repair.
This coming week, I am going to drop the rudder and use my cylinder hone to lightly sand the inside of the log until the rudder turns freely.
These pictures are of the cut off end of the shaft. I spent several hours sanding the shaft in the area of the log bearings which took the points off them but not enough to really make it smooth or polished.
This coming week, I am going to drop the rudder and use my cylinder hone to lightly sand the inside of the log until the rudder turns freely.
These pictures are of the cut off end of the shaft. I spent several hours sanding the shaft in the area of the log bearings which took the points off them but not enough to really make it smooth or polished.
All of their rudders are made to order so can be costomised. I had them upgrade the shaft from 304 SS to 316. Were I to do it again, I would insist on a clean pass on the lathe so that it did not have the threads. It is obvious that they used a single point 60º tool for the final pass which cuts fast but leaves a very rough finish.
I have their hdpe flip up rudder on my c25. It's all I've ever had on that boat so I can't tell you how or if it improved it. It does seem well built.