Rudder question about H 27 (1978)

[Olivier van Mierlo]

While busy making preperations for a longdistance journey with a shoal keeled H27 (1978) i'm considering to change the ruddersize. This because it seems impossible to leave the tiller unattended while in movement. Unless the tiller is fixed by autopilot or windvane she moves to starboard or port almost instantly when you need both hands for something else. Its even worse with the engine on. My first idea would be to remove the front part (or part of it) of the rudderblade to get rid of the balanced features. But i'm not shure if this would harm the manouvrebillity of the boat. Has anyone ideas on this matter or has anyone done these or simular changes to their ship themselves.I'll apreciate all ideas and/or critisism.Regards Olivier"Seagull"

 

[Brian]

Yikes! I would consider this.....

Before you make any drastic changes, especially to your rudder, keep in mind that the rudder itself isn't the root of your issue. All boats have a tendency to wander while under power, prop wash causes this to happen. I have an 81 H30, and it pulls to port more than it goes backwards when I put it is reverse, no matter what the rudder position is. And when I am in forward, it wanders. My cure, since I have a wheel, is going to be purchasing a friction knob that clamps the steering wheel post to keep the rudder in place. To be honest, sometimes I wish I had my old boat with a tiller back. I thought the wheel would be "stepping up" in the world, but I find sailing with a tiller to be more enjoyable. Which brings me to my next point. I don't mean this as an insult (especially since it is not very often I find my own boat to be balanced!) but you should be able to balance you sails to where the boat will sail straight on it's own. In light to moderate winds anyway. What I have found is when my boat really wants to head up into the wind under sail, I usually have the main timmed too tight. Easing the main usually cures it. Too much sail for the wind conditions can also keep you from getting ideal sail trim. Of course the people I get this info from are experienced and all agree that even if you loose your rudder, you should be able to steer your boat in general directions with just the sails. I have never tried this and I wouldn't make any claims that I can do it, but after putting some thought into it, it makes some sense. To steer into the wind, you can trim the main tight. To steer away from the wind, you could ease the main, and tighten the head sail (I think this would make the boat fall off anyway). I am certainly getting beyond the point of confidently giving you some help so I will get back to the point. One of the neatest gadgets I have seen on tiller steered boats is call a tiller tamer. It is a simple lock knob that mounts to the tiller, and you run a line from one side of the boat, through the knob, to the other side of the boat. This will keep your rudder in place without the expense of an autopilot or windvane. If you already have these, I would still consider it. West Marine, or your local yard can get you one. They are not much at all $30 - $40 tops, and it is much easier to use in cases where you need an extra hand for short time increments. If you are tacking a lot, or just need to leave the tiller for a minute, it's easy to use, and you can leave it set up if you don't have crew needing the cockpit seats. I would get as much advise as possible before changing anything like your rudder. Also, I am assuming the boat doesn't have anything wrong that can be causing you problems. If you haven't yet, throughly inspect the rudder and post as best you can. If the post is bent, or the bearings are worn out, they could be causing your problem. Good luck, I hope I have been helpful. The best advice I can give is keep going on the track your on, get as much advice and different opinions as possible before you do anything that could adversely affect your boat.

 

[Olivier van Mierlo]

rudder question H27

Brian!Thanks for your detailed information. Your idea to install a knob or some sort of cleat with a line to each sides sounds just as simple as smart. The whole idea was to find a way to leave the tiller unattended for a small period of time. Classic longkeelers seem to have no problems with a "loose" tiller if the trim is right. I realize that sailtrim is of the upmost importance if you want to sail without the ridderblade (in case of loss). I have done some experiments with sailtrim and fixed rudder.However I think that the existence of a fixed rudder makes quite a difference in balance and manouvrebillity then in circumstances where you have lost your rudder. An unbalanced rudder with skeg under speed will always have a tendency "to go with the flow" where a balanced rudder is more likely to change direction at random. My problem has not much to do with the propwash, this is always a problem at low speed especially when you have a two-blade prop like mine. I also do have a windvane and autopilotbut it always takes considereble time to install and adjust these before you have your hands free.I think your suggestion might be the solution for brief moments of unattending the tiller without having to adjust sailtrim or getting other gear in position. And it probebly saves a lot of work too. I hope I can find the knob/cleat as you described here in Holland. If not I will pop up again to releave you of more information. Many thanks and kind regardsOlivier "Seagull"