My H-23 is a marvelous vessel, except for the very irritating occasion when I am in semi-rough seas and the rudder releases. This happens usually when I am in following seas and need the rudder the most-my luck. Resolving the raised rudder isn't a problem, simply pull the reset line and down it goes....BUT..who is left to tend the tiller, sail, sheets, etc while I'm resetting? What if I am in tight quarters with other boats, ie racing? Back to the question, has anyone else experienced this problem and how do I resolve it? I looked at the rudder/tiller assembly and don't see any type of tensioning screw for the kick-up. I live in the Keys and the water is shallow in areas, so I don't want to permanently affix the rudder down. Thanks for inputs..Bill
- Status
Magic floating rudders
Bill, What size/age line are you using on the rudder? I changed out mine with 7/16 D braid and it helped. You may also need to consider r&r'ing the cleat. It's getting old ya know
. Another option would be to mount a horn cleat on the back of the tiller where it is square. You could then "lock" the rudder when conditions warrant. There is some risk with this method as the rudder won't "kick" when the horn cleat is in use. In any case, if you don't already have good quality 7/16 D braid on the tiller, I'd replace the line. It makes a noticable difference. Greg
Bill, What size/age line are you using on the rudder? I changed out mine with 7/16 D braid and it helped. You may also need to consider r&r'ing the cleat. It's getting old ya know
. Another option would be to mount a horn cleat on the back of the tiller where it is square. You could then "lock" the rudder when conditions warrant. There is some risk with this method as the rudder won't "kick" when the horn cleat is in use. In any case, if you don't already have good quality 7/16 D braid on the tiller, I'd replace the line. It makes a noticable difference. Gregamen
I hear you brother.......I wish someone would come up with a solution to this problem. Saw a post awhile back about a "quick release?" jam cleat that only release under a certain load but they don't make it large enough for our rudder line. I put stainless "all thread" thru the rudder to replace the pivot pin and then attached "handle nuts" to torque it down REAL TIGHT to provide some resistance to kicking up. I've notice however that I'm really mashing the rudder (foam core you know) and she still kicks up on occasion just from water pressure if it's not cleated down. Sigh............incidently.........my cam cleat will release when the rudder hits a stump but it tends to tear the line.
I hear you brother.......I wish someone would come up with a solution to this problem. Saw a post awhile back about a "quick release?" jam cleat that only release under a certain load but they don't make it large enough for our rudder line. I put stainless "all thread" thru the rudder to replace the pivot pin and then attached "handle nuts" to torque it down REAL TIGHT to provide some resistance to kicking up. I've notice however that I'm really mashing the rudder (foam core you know) and she still kicks up on occasion just from water pressure if it's not cleated down. Sigh............incidently.........my cam cleat will release when the rudder hits a stump but it tends to tear the line.
I use the bungee method - from a previous artical
Earlier this year there was a responce in this forum, about using a bungee from the bottom rudder mount pin on the transom, around the square notch at the top of the rudder and back to the rudder mount pin. This gives me extra holding power, and will still kick up if I hit bottom. (It also helps with the weather helm) I believe this was the original purpose of the bungee. I wish I could find the original message to give credit. But I can't so I'll just share the infomation. Bob Grogan 'Twinkle'
Earlier this year there was a responce in this forum, about using a bungee from the bottom rudder mount pin on the transom, around the square notch at the top of the rudder and back to the rudder mount pin. This gives me extra holding power, and will still kick up if I hit bottom. (It also helps with the weather helm) I believe this was the original purpose of the bungee. I wish I could find the original message to give credit. But I can't so I'll just share the infomation. Bob Grogan 'Twinkle'
New 7/16 double braid every season?
I replaced the rudder line when I first bought the boat because it was pretty ratty, and I had to replace it again a couple of months ago. The steel teeth on those cams really chew the line up. I guess it's just one of those things that you have to do every so often. Peter S/V Raven
I replaced the rudder line when I first bought the boat because it was pretty ratty, and I had to replace it again a couple of months ago. The steel teeth on those cams really chew the line up. I guess it's just one of those things that you have to do every so often. Peter S/V Raven
rudder release,
Ditto Peter. I did go several years at one lake without replacing line, then went to Indian lake now it is a yearly chore, I have not had a problem with it kicking up unless I hit something one thig I did do , was leave the line a bit long , and then when it started getting chewed up in one spot I shortened it a bit , so it is not always chewing up the same spot , I do still replace almost yearly and keep a spare , Mike Bacome
Ditto Peter. I did go several years at one lake without replacing line, then went to Indian lake now it is a yearly chore, I have not had a problem with it kicking up unless I hit something one thig I did do , was leave the line a bit long , and then when it started getting chewed up in one spot I shortened it a bit , so it is not always chewing up the same spot , I do still replace almost yearly and keep a spare , Mike Bacome
That line's about 18 months old, Bill...
Hi Bill, (For the benefit of the others who commented, Bill is the new owner of '2 Sheets to the Wind'-- which I believe has since been re-named.) I replaced that line right after I moved to Key West, and it's probably about due again. That's the second one I've replaced, and I wrote this off as a regular maintenance item... I figured 3 feet of line every 18 months is cheaper than most of the hardware solutions I've heard! The cam cleat that holds this line is starting to wear out, though, and it does eat through that line pretty quickly with moderate use. I tried to replace that cam cleat a few years ago, but couldn't find an appropriate replacement that would bolt into the old holes. I was planning on trying the Bungee cord trick mentioned earlier, but ended up with a larger boat to play with before I could try it. Give me a call if you want more info about it... How's the boat treating you? --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
Hi Bill, (For the benefit of the others who commented, Bill is the new owner of '2 Sheets to the Wind'-- which I believe has since been re-named.) I replaced that line right after I moved to Key West, and it's probably about due again. That's the second one I've replaced, and I wrote this off as a regular maintenance item... I figured 3 feet of line every 18 months is cheaper than most of the hardware solutions I've heard! The cam cleat that holds this line is starting to wear out, though, and it does eat through that line pretty quickly with moderate use. I tried to replace that cam cleat a few years ago, but couldn't find an appropriate replacement that would bolt into the old holes. I was planning on trying the Bungee cord trick mentioned earlier, but ended up with a larger boat to play with before I could try it. Give me a call if you want more info about it... How's the boat treating you? --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
- Status