My house is on a canal w/4 feet of water, but there is a bar at the mouth that has around 2'4" of water when the winds are out of the west. I bought my ODay 25 last week thinking it drew 2'3", but now I'm hearing that the rudder draws about 2'8". I'm bringing the boat up from Oriental later this month and I'm planning on unshipping the rudder and steering into the canal with my outboard, but this summer I want to build a new rudder. Finally here's my question. If I build the new rudder about 6" shorter, then add about 1 inch to the leading edge and about 2 inches to the following edge of the rudder.....well will affect the boat handling to any appreciable degree?
Oday 25 rudder alteration
- Thread starter SBK
- Start date
- Status
SBK, Keep the same depth it is important to the
balance of the boat. What you may want to consider is a kick up rudder. It hinges at about the water line. Something like the catalina 22 or PAceship 23 rudders. r.w.landau
balance of the boat. What you may want to consider is a kick up rudder. It hinges at about the water line. Something like the catalina 22 or PAceship 23 rudders. r.w.landau
That's what I was afraid of.
I was just trying to take the easy way out, which NEVER works. Thanks for your advice. I used to have a Luger Southwind with a homemade kick up rudder, and the rudder blade snapped off in Beaufort inlet one time, so I have a phobia of them, at least when they are home built, but you can't argue with the truth, so I guess it's a kick up.
I was just trying to take the easy way out, which NEVER works. Thanks for your advice. I used to have a Luger Southwind with a homemade kick up rudder, and the rudder blade snapped off in Beaufort inlet one time, so I have a phobia of them, at least when they are home built, but you can't argue with the truth, so I guess it's a kick up.
kick up rudder
i found a place http://www.idasailor.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=549. i found a place that makes a kick up rudder for the 25...here is the link.
i found a place http://www.idasailor.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=549. i found a place that makes a kick up rudder for the 25...here is the link.
Hey ... if you are going to trash the old rudder .
anyway ... just cut off what you want, West it over, and see how it works. The real problem with short rudders is that when the boat heels heavy you loose your bite. This is a real problem with shoal draft boats flying spinnakers when it comes to broach ville. Everything is a compromise ...you get to decide whether you can live with it. On the Seaward 32, that I have been crewing on this winter ... the rudder goes up and down, and yes when it is full down it is nice ... but half down isn't all that bad either. and that seems to be where it ends up most of the time. it looks a lot like a dagger board that locks in place every 12 in. or so. Boat still sails OK ... shoal is a compromise anyway you run it. So down full, down half, both are liveable. look at the slide show at the link Vic "Seven"
anyway ... just cut off what you want, West it over, and see how it works. The real problem with short rudders is that when the boat heels heavy you loose your bite. This is a real problem with shoal draft boats flying spinnakers when it comes to broach ville. Everything is a compromise ...you get to decide whether you can live with it. On the Seaward 32, that I have been crewing on this winter ... the rudder goes up and down, and yes when it is full down it is nice ... but half down isn't all that bad either. and that seems to be where it ends up most of the time. it looks a lot like a dagger board that locks in place every 12 in. or so. Boat still sails OK ... shoal is a compromise anyway you run it. So down full, down half, both are liveable. look at the slide show at the link Vic "Seven"
SBK don't cut off the old rudder, It will be
of value should you sell the boat! I did not see he last post about kick-ups but here is one, it is expensive but if you are willing, you could cut the cost in half! Hope things work out! r.w.landau Ida sailor is sold here on this forum, go to the top and click Boat info then on Boat Photos,/specs then on the left 25 then click on chandley for 25 specific items you should see on that page the Ida rudder.
of value should you sell the boat! I did not see he last post about kick-ups but here is one, it is expensive but if you are willing, you could cut the cost in half! Hope things work out! r.w.landau Ida sailor is sold here on this forum, go to the top and click Boat info then on Boat Photos,/specs then on the left 25 then click on chandley for 25 specific items you should see on that page the Ida rudder.
Please don't change the rudder!!!
I can tell you if I could make my rudder 6" longer on my O'Day 25 I would do it. Steer with the outboard if you must, but avoid the mod, or at worst build yourself a shallow version.
I can tell you if I could make my rudder 6" longer on my O'Day 25 I would do it. Steer with the outboard if you must, but avoid the mod, or at worst build yourself a shallow version.
rudder mods
good question about rudder. I have the same boat. I was wondering if someone out there imn cyberland has modified the rudder to kick-up or raise and lower somehow? I can't seem to figure out how to search the archives effectivly.
good question about rudder. I have the same boat. I was wondering if someone out there imn cyberland has modified the rudder to kick-up or raise and lower somehow? I can't seem to figure out how to search the archives effectivly.
Thanks for the input.
I'll keep the rudder I've got now. I'll just have to unship it and steer in with the motor in until I either build or buy a kick up. Anyway, I appreciate all the responses. I'm glad I found this website before I tried to cruise into the canal and ripped the gudgeons off the transom. This is the only place that I found anything about the rudder drawing more water than the keel.
I'll keep the rudder I've got now. I'll just have to unship it and steer in with the motor in until I either build or buy a kick up. Anyway, I appreciate all the responses. I'm glad I found this website before I tried to cruise into the canal and ripped the gudgeons off the transom. This is the only place that I found anything about the rudder drawing more water than the keel.
I got an Idasailor Rudder
I bought an Idasailor kickup rudder for my 25 last year. I'm very happy with it. Trying to remove and install the rudder while the boat is floating is going to be a nightmare. If you have draft problems, a kickup rudder is the only way to go. The Idasailor product is very well made too.
I bought an Idasailor kickup rudder for my 25 last year. I'm very happy with it. Trying to remove and install the rudder while the boat is floating is going to be a nightmare. If you have draft problems, a kickup rudder is the only way to go. The Idasailor product is very well made too.
Kick up rudders are great
I have a solid blade kick-up rudder on my 222. The foam filled blades had a tendency to break. I broke two of them, so I know. With that said; if you have to motor in shallow water where you have to lift your rudder up a little, it can be done, but it puts a lot of strain on the blade. Also, you always have to watch out the blade doesn't come in contact with the outboard prop. If you're sailing along and you encounter a shallow place where by your rudder kicks up a little, you can feel a lot of weather helm on your tiller because of it. I think that this is what causes the old two piece foam filled rudders to fail after a while. I think that if you shorten your rudder, you're going to lose something in the performance of your boat. I lowered my Pintles about an inch on my rudder head in order to gain enough space for a wider tiller, but I ran it by Rudy first, before I did it. I'd go for the tip-up rudder and keep the old rudder for a spare in case you ever need it.
I have a solid blade kick-up rudder on my 222. The foam filled blades had a tendency to break. I broke two of them, so I know. With that said; if you have to motor in shallow water where you have to lift your rudder up a little, it can be done, but it puts a lot of strain on the blade. Also, you always have to watch out the blade doesn't come in contact with the outboard prop. If you're sailing along and you encounter a shallow place where by your rudder kicks up a little, you can feel a lot of weather helm on your tiller because of it. I think that this is what causes the old two piece foam filled rudders to fail after a while. I think that if you shorten your rudder, you're going to lose something in the performance of your boat. I lowered my Pintles about an inch on my rudder head in order to gain enough space for a wider tiller, but I ran it by Rudy first, before I did it. I'd go for the tip-up rudder and keep the old rudder for a spare in case you ever need it.
Rudder was changed when they went to 26
When O'Day upgraded from the 25 to the 26 they made the rudder bigger in area. the increased size was to compensate for the 25's weather helm. but you get the same problem of the rudder lower than the keel on the centerboard version as far as I know. Anybody know the correct answeer? ed K
When O'Day upgraded from the 25 to the 26 they made the rudder bigger in area. the increased size was to compensate for the 25's weather helm. but you get the same problem of the rudder lower than the keel on the centerboard version as far as I know. Anybody know the correct answeer? ed K
- Status