This is a follow-up to a rudder discussion held earlier this year. I purchased a HDPE blade rudder from IdaSailor Marine (www.idasailor.com) to replace my stock kick-up rudder. We've had the boat out twice so far with the new rudder. We've noticed reduced tiller effort, reduced weather helm, improved low speed performance when docking, and VERY responsive. We did a test sail in 12-15 knot sustained winds, with gusts over 25 knots under full main only. We didn't round up. Instead we heeled and accelerated with light tiller effort. We have more sailing to do to get a more complete sense of the differences, but at this stage we are very pleased. This rudder is also offered through the Chandlery section of the Catalina Owners website. The original goal was to install a no-maintenance rudder (solid HDPE). I was pleasantly surprised to get the performance enhancement as a bonus. Anyone in the market for a kick-up rudder?
HDPE Rudder Update
- Thread starter Tony2945
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Thanks for the update
It's good to hear that the HDPE rudder works well. It is much less expensive than the standard rudder so your report is good news. People should be aware, though, that the HDPE rudder is not allowed in certified C22 races. Thanks for the update. Randy
It's good to hear that the HDPE rudder works well. It is much less expensive than the standard rudder so your report is good news. People should be aware, though, that the HDPE rudder is not allowed in certified C22 races. Thanks for the update. Randy
Rudder info
I think that Tony's was cracked too. It is very common. My 86 C22 rudder had a crack and one day during a sail it broke in half. The inside wood was rotten. The new Catalina ruddrs have a foam interior and the HDPE ones are solid plastic sp both are big imprrovements over the old wood core rudders. I'd advice you to get a new one now or be wiling to take the risk of having it break while you are sailing.
I think that Tony's was cracked too. It is very common. My 86 C22 rudder had a crack and one day during a sail it broke in half. The inside wood was rotten. The new Catalina ruddrs have a foam interior and the HDPE ones are solid plastic sp both are big imprrovements over the old wood core rudders. I'd advice you to get a new one now or be wiling to take the risk of having it break while you are sailing.
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