Fabricating a homemade rudder

[Ranger_12]

Has anyone had any experience fabricating a homemade rudder for a Mac 25 or any other sailboat? If so would any modifications from the original design be benifical? I understand that sometimes its better to just bite the bullet and buy a commercialy made product but I enjoy making things and am seeking some input.
Thanks

 

[Bob McL]

I built one from scratch, designed on aircraft wing specs. I made it a lot larger than the original (which I still have). It works great and is very responsive. The only thing I would do different, is to have the lower part be completely vertical when lifted. As it is, it just come up to 90 degrees, which keeps it from hitting the bottom nearing shore. What makes mine different is that the shaft is square tube that I put a smaller tube into for mast support. I remove the lower part when the boat is on the trailer. It is held on by one large bolt.

 

[SchwarckT]

http://mothboat.tripod.com/CMBA/Building/foils.htm

 

[finding41]

I did. Start reading here. http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=161192&#post1110765
Aim for a 0012 or 0018 foil shape.
Note the back of the top of my rudder is cut to allow it to swing up out of the water.

 

[Ranger_12]

I would like to thank everyone for their input, has given me alot of information to think about.