Is it possible to modify the fixed rudder on a 23 to be kick up? Do most folks leave the rudder in the water or remove it when the boat is on the mooring? My previous boat was a Mariner and we always removed the rudder when on the hook.
O’Day 23 rudder
- Thread starter brhoads
- Start date
Why do you want to remove it? Most people tie the tiller with a line when they're away. The ladder on my O'Day 25 came into the cockpit a bit and formed a V between it and the stern pulpit support. It was perfect for holding the rudder still
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According to sailboat data.com the O'Day 23 is a centerboard boat. It looks like from the line drawing that the rudder is slightly more shallow than the stub keel. So normally in that scenario the rudder doesn't need the kick up protection from grounding.
If the reason in the OP for the kick up version is to keep marine growth from forming on the rudder then anti-fouling coatings and/or frequent cleaning would be the strategy.
This doesn't address whether the existing rudder can be modified to kick up. If the rudder is constructed with a post that runs thru the rudder with a metal frame, foam filling and fiberglass skins - then no. If the rudder is constructed out of a wood core, and is retained by pintles and gudgeons , or a rod - then maybe.
It would be a project - and likely a redesign. Look at dingy designs for ideas. It could be a cassette type design. It could be as simple as a rotating blade aside a rudder stock. Or a rotating blade between cheeks of whatever material. I choose the latter for my Marblehead skiff when the plans called for a barn door rudder. The barn door was terrible. I was able to create a foiled rudder that kicked up as necessary. The difference in sailing was remarkable.
If the reason in the OP for the kick up version is to keep marine growth from forming on the rudder then anti-fouling coatings and/or frequent cleaning would be the strategy.
This doesn't address whether the existing rudder can be modified to kick up. If the rudder is constructed with a post that runs thru the rudder with a metal frame, foam filling and fiberglass skins - then no. If the rudder is constructed out of a wood core, and is retained by pintles and gudgeons , or a rod - then maybe.
It would be a project - and likely a redesign. Look at dingy designs for ideas. It could be a cassette type design. It could be as simple as a rotating blade aside a rudder stock. Or a rotating blade between cheeks of whatever material. I choose the latter for my Marblehead skiff when the plans called for a barn door rudder. The barn door was terrible. I was able to create a foiled rudder that kicked up as necessary. The difference in sailing was remarkable.
O'Day used outboard rudders for their smaller boats. The rudder itself is quite strong. On my 25, I tore the 1/4" stainless gudgeon in two during a storm but no damage to the rudder.
I’d like to get it out of the water to reduce wear and strain on the steering system in addition to helping prevent water getting inside the rudder blade (pretty common). Kicking up or removing it while on the hook is a fairly easy way to help mitigate damage. I’m on the coast of Maine where storms are fierce. protecting the rudder when not needed seems reasonable. I’ll take a look at Rudder Craft. Thanks for the suggestion.
I have a Rudder Craft rudder on my ODay Mariner (19ft) that lives on a boat lift at the dock. I'm not sure that there is any less wear or strain on the pintles/gudgeons, tiller, and Tiller Tamer with the rudder in the wind of the local thunderstorms. Probably less with the rudder down as there is little current at the lift, but plenty of cross wind.
That said, I do love the Rudder Craft rudder. It has substantially more area than the ODay standard rudder, and is balanced so that there is little weather helm when things get spicy. The rudder is held down by a gas strut so that it will pop up under any impact, yet automatically go back to full down when there is enough water. I have a line to adjust what is the full down position.
Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner 19 Sweet P