Slight rudder shudder at higher speeds, cause for concern?
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Re: Slight rudder shudder at higher speeds, cause for concer
Sometimes stuff can get a little worn but I find that slight back and forth ossilation is usaully caused by a dirty or ragged underside. Whether a badly pitted keel or a barnacle covered bottom the disturbed water flow makes eddies that can wiggle the rudder. Nothing nasty as long as your hardwares solid.
Sometimes stuff can get a little worn but I find that slight back and forth ossilation is usaully caused by a dirty or ragged underside. Whether a badly pitted keel or a barnacle covered bottom the disturbed water flow makes eddies that can wiggle the rudder. Nothing nasty as long as your hardwares solid.
Re: Slight rudder shudder at higher speeds, cause for concer
Yes, I too have felt the same thing. My hull has very little pitting and rudder is very smooth. It feels normal and there is nothing that I feel is shaking apart. I on the other hand have only one season under my belt, for what its worth.
Yes, I too have felt the same thing. My hull has very little pitting and rudder is very smooth. It feels normal and there is nothing that I feel is shaking apart. I on the other hand have only one season under my belt, for what its worth.
My Mac22 did the same due to water flow over the swing keel lift cable which is absolutely normal. Also, I do get the same minute vibrations felt thru the tiller on our H240 hunter at sailing speeds over 4 knots. I use it as an indicator that I'm having a good sailing day and enjoy the ride.
Re: Slight rudder shudder at higher speeds, cause for concer
Or it could be something more complex... vortex shedding. Or a lack of it. As a liquid flows over a foil, when the two flows meet at the trailing edge and flow to the tip they will produce a vortex. You see it on planes wings all the time. Same happens on keels and rudders. On rudders you can often feel this in ranges of speeds.
If your rudder bearing are good, then it is probably not an issue.
Or it could be something more complex... vortex shedding. Or a lack of it. As a liquid flows over a foil, when the two flows meet at the trailing edge and flow to the tip they will produce a vortex. You see it on planes wings all the time. Same happens on keels and rudders. On rudders you can often feel this in ranges of speeds.
If your rudder bearing are good, then it is probably not an issue.
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