Hello Everyone, I lost the rudder on my O'day 23 during some severe weather this spring and can't afford a new one. A very nice gentleman is offering to get me a Catalina 22 Rudder for next to nothing. Is it possible to make this work? I would really like to get out on the water but for 600-800 bucks I would have to wait till next year. Thanks for the help. Timbros.
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worth a try
If the price is right, the shape is close & you can modify the attachment hardware & tiller, why not try. Especially if you wouldn't be able to use your boat all summer. I doubt if you'll find anybody thats done the same thing. Personally I would jump on it. I bet you could do the modifications in a week or 2. You could be out on the water by the 4th. Even if it's not perfect, as long as you modify it safely so the rudder doesn't fall off, I think the worse you may have to deal with is balance with the helm. A little playing with the CB & sails or mast trim may be able to handle it.
If the price is right, the shape is close & you can modify the attachment hardware & tiller, why not try. Especially if you wouldn't be able to use your boat all summer. I doubt if you'll find anybody thats done the same thing. Personally I would jump on it. I bet you could do the modifications in a week or 2. You could be out on the water by the 4th. Even if it's not perfect, as long as you modify it safely so the rudder doesn't fall off, I think the worse you may have to deal with is balance with the helm. A little playing with the CB & sails or mast trim may be able to handle it.
Watch out for...
The one critical dimension: rudder length. The rudder must be long enough (top to bottom) to have the balancing lip (the part of the rudder that curves forward and reaches under the boat) clear the bottom of the transom and to have the tiller headstock clear the top of the transom. If it fits, I agree; give it a try. The worst that will happen is that the rudder won't be big enough and it will lose its bite and you will round up more easily in a breeze when the wind pipes up. One benefit of this whole mess: you get to replace the notoriously undersized original gudgles and pintles with some beefy replacements. You can use them even if you spring for a new rudder in the future.
The one critical dimension: rudder length. The rudder must be long enough (top to bottom) to have the balancing lip (the part of the rudder that curves forward and reaches under the boat) clear the bottom of the transom and to have the tiller headstock clear the top of the transom. If it fits, I agree; give it a try. The worst that will happen is that the rudder won't be big enough and it will lose its bite and you will round up more easily in a breeze when the wind pipes up. One benefit of this whole mess: you get to replace the notoriously undersized original gudgles and pintles with some beefy replacements. You can use them even if you spring for a new rudder in the future.
Gonna Give it a Try
Well, We'll see. I figure for $140 including shipping it's worth a try. Thanks for the comments, Timbros
Well, We'll see. I figure for $140 including shipping it's worth a try. Thanks for the comments, Timbros
Timbros,
I would give it a try. The rudder styles are different and will probably feel a little heavier on the tiller ( not balanced as previous post indicated). My only real concern would be the length of the rudder that when heeled the rudder may stall sooner and you may loose control and round-up at a lesser heel since I think that the 22 Catalina rudder is a bit shorter. So, Reef sooner and sail flater. You also gain the pop-up rudder feature and if you are a Gunk Holer and like to tuck into those shallow out of the way places this should be a nice feature. Let us know how it works, we may all be looking for new rudders....... r.w.landau
I would give it a try. The rudder styles are different and will probably feel a little heavier on the tiller ( not balanced as previous post indicated). My only real concern would be the length of the rudder that when heeled the rudder may stall sooner and you may loose control and round-up at a lesser heel since I think that the 22 Catalina rudder is a bit shorter. So, Reef sooner and sail flater. You also gain the pop-up rudder feature and if you are a Gunk Holer and like to tuck into those shallow out of the way places this should be a nice feature. Let us know how it works, we may all be looking for new rudders....... r.w.landau
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