I don't understand how this stiffener plate works/installs. Does it bend around the aluminum rudder post between the gudgeons?
Ida Sailor rudder post stiffener plate
- Thread starter hardtack9220
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works good! on a Mac 26D (only)
it is drilled and thru bolted to the back of the rudder castle. (flat against the 2 outward facing 'flages' acts as a stiffner and works well, but any plate of alum could be used, once cut to size. a basic rectangle about 6" x 10" I think. raise the rudder before install... be sure the plate is not too low to tow w/ rudder up. ps: mine may NOT be an IDA brand... PO installed. probably just a alum plate he cut and drilled... side shot: http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/?action=view¤t=PB180011.jpg partial lower shot: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/PB180009.jpg nother http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/P1010007.jpg http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/P1010004.jpg
it is drilled and thru bolted to the back of the rudder castle. (flat against the 2 outward facing 'flages' acts as a stiffner and works well, but any plate of alum could be used, once cut to size. a basic rectangle about 6" x 10" I think. raise the rudder before install... be sure the plate is not too low to tow w/ rudder up. ps: mine may NOT be an IDA brand... PO installed. probably just a alum plate he cut and drilled... side shot: http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/?action=view¤t=PB180011.jpg partial lower shot: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/PB180009.jpg nother http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/P1010007.jpg http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/P1010004.jpg
Rudder Head Design
The rudder head is formed from a piece of soft aluminum channel. It is fairly wide and therefore has a bit of twist along the length of it when rudder vs tiller loads are applied. The stiffener plate completes the "box" by connecting the two open ends of the channel, thereby stiffening the head and reducing overall steering slop, which can consist of: all of the bolts and bolt holes' wear, rudder head twist, tiller bend and pintle/gudgeon slop, and bend in the rudder itself. If you are going to continue using the stock rudder head, a stiffener plate is an easy upgrade, and may reduce annoying steering play/twist. Otherwise, an alternative is replacing the rudder head assembly with a more rigid material and design.
The rudder head is formed from a piece of soft aluminum channel. It is fairly wide and therefore has a bit of twist along the length of it when rudder vs tiller loads are applied. The stiffener plate completes the "box" by connecting the two open ends of the channel, thereby stiffening the head and reducing overall steering slop, which can consist of: all of the bolts and bolt holes' wear, rudder head twist, tiller bend and pintle/gudgeon slop, and bend in the rudder itself. If you are going to continue using the stock rudder head, a stiffener plate is an easy upgrade, and may reduce annoying steering play/twist. Otherwise, an alternative is replacing the rudder head assembly with a more rigid material and design.
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