Oday 19 Rudder shock

[Rod]

I have just purchased a used Oday 19 and the rudder had a small shock cord running from the tiller down to the rudder that appears to have been intended to snap the rudder back down after it has snapped up in shallow water.(I would have thought it would be more important to be able to raise the rudder in shallow water, so reversing the process really.)In any case, this shock cord is broken. Is it important? Does it really do anything? I have yet to put this boat in the water, so I'm trying to decide if its necessary to fix this.Thanks for any advice.Rod

 

[Ed]

Rudder

When I got my Mariner(1966 model)the shock cord only went from a hole in the rudder to a hole in the part of the rudder above that didn't pivot.It was tensioned to keep the rudder in place-up or down. I found that tensioning the pivot bolt of the rudder correctly was the more important part of the system. It needed enough tension to keep the rudder down, but allowed it to kick up w/out to much trouble when hitting bottom.Being that the boat is close to the water I would just reach over the stern & grab the rudder to lift or push down as needed. Some other small boats I have sailed have had lines rigged to pull or hold down. The thought I believe is that the bottom will nudge up the board or releasing the line will allow it to float up. That way you don't have to reach overboard.

 

[Rod]

Rudder cord

Thanks Ed, I'm sure you are right.Tension on the bolt is a good point.In my local waters, the rudder will get nudged quite a bit. Mu guess is tghis cord is not crucial. I guess I'll just have to see how it goes.

 

[Chris Swan]

Response to Rudder Shock Question

I have an ODay 19, vintage 1981. The cord on the rudder runs up to the tiller, and by securing it when the rudder is down, it helps keep the rudder in place...as it attaches to the upper corner on the front of the rudder, and after we take off from our mooring, where we keep the rudder out of the water, pulled up, due to only 3 feet of water at low tide...we then push the rudder down in place, securing the cord on the top of the tiller...so I would say the cord does serve a purpose...for us. And the rudder kicks up on it's own, when you enter shallow water, as you come upon the bottom, pivoting on the back pin.

 

[Rod]

Rudder Cord

Thanks for that input.Have you ever had to replace that cord?I see there is a little plug in the rudder, but I haven't attempted it yet.