Remove rudder when mooring?

[eric7293]

I am wondering whether other sailors remove the rudder when tied to a mooring? I have an autopilot on my tiller, which has a line that ties to the aft port and starboard cleats. This keeps it snug, but it occasionally comes loose, and the rudder will bang around in heavy winds. Should I be removing it when mooring?

 

[James19955]

I don't remove mine

Eric - I don't think this is a good idea - I have never removed mine while it sits on the mooring. When I leave the boat I place the rudder as centrally as possible and then loop the main sheet and tie around the tiller and the back stay - I know it sounds weird - but this is a technique I learned from a friend who has a Pearon 26. It keeps the tiller locked and the rudder does not move around. The mainsheet is kept tidy and dry and off the floor of the cockpit.If you take the rudder off - where will you store it? Everytime you want to use the boat you will have to lean out to install - and hope you get both pintles aligned and in so that you dont drop the rudder into the drink!Either way - good luckJames

 

[Bob]

Rudders

I agree with James. I've always left mine on even in the slip. Maybe you should use an extra line to the cleats and take the strain off the auto tiller. I throw a timber hitch around the tiller and fasten to both rear cleats. It rarely loosens up. I also coil the main sheet and hang in on the tiller. I then use a short line to tie the boom to the back stay. That keeps everything tight. We sometimes get bounced around during heavy weather.

 

[eric7293]

Thanks

Thanks for the response guys. This helps, and makes me feel better about how I am tying up. I will try the main sheet trick too - great idea.-E