What systems have you put in place to improve ability to raise or lower you foam-filled kick-up rudd

[Mich222]

Is there anyone out there still using the foam-filled kick-up rudder who would like to contribute??

I suspect someday I will need to replace my foam-filled rudder (mine is probably the original rudder from Foss Foam Inc.) - but for now it is in good shape- and I am just a recreational good-weather only same-lake sailor. I am still using a rudder with the foam urethane core with fiberglass covering.

The rudder has the uphaul and downhaul pendants- which work with effort --- the raising and lowering of the rudder using these pendant lines have all of the already- discussed issues; Specifically, the downhaul pendant cleat sometimes fails and rudder raises a bit and creates weather helm, or floats to surface making steering very difficult, or the uphaul pendant line sometimes gets stuck in the rudder head and/or just needs tremendous muscle and leverage hanging over the transom in order to raise rudder.

I am considering two options to improve the reliability of the rudder - specifically to more quickly and easily control the rudder. On the Precisionowners site, I found a modification using a rod attached to the rudder in order to push the rudder down and to pull the rudder up without having to lean over the transom. Pictures are posted below and here is the link: http://precisionowners.com/Pearce_rudderlift.htm


I am also considering switching out the stationary/traditional clam cleat that holds the rudder in a down position and replacing it with a clam cleat that is designed to release, should the rudder strike an object. Not sure this new clam cleat will work any better to hold the rudder down- however it may help to ensure the rudder does not break in case of hitting an object. Pictures are posted below and here is the link: http://www.clamcleat.com/cleats/cleat_details.asp?theid2=78


Question 1: What systems have you put in place to improve ability to raise or lower the foam-filled kick-up rudder?

Question 2: Do you think the precision owner modification would work better and more reliably to raise and lower a foam-filled rudder?

Question 3: a) For those who have used the CL257 - Auto-Release clam cleat , how do you like it? b) Does it work to keep your rudder down? c) Did the quick release work well? d) How did you go about setting the correct tension?

 

[Joe11688]

Mich,
As you probably know, I have a "Rudy rudder". If your Foss rudder is OK you can keep it working as long as it doesn't creep up on you while you're sailing. I think that it's the weather helm on the blade that causes it to flex and ultimately open up at the seam.
I like that automatic clam cleat but it's not a self rescue cleat like the one that you have under the tiller. So what would hold the pendant line from falling out of it? It's not really practical for mounting upside down, I don't think. The rudder hold down pendant line is the line that usually gets caught in between the blade and the inside housing of the rudder head. I have a Bungee cord clamped to this line inside the rudder head to a bolt just under the tiller. When the blade tips up,-- the bungee puts tension on the line near the top of the rudder blade and keeps it centered so that it doesn't go off and get caught. Even with the Bungee cord attached to the pendant line, it can still get caught. So I recommend that you take the rudder head plate off, and make it a tighter fit. This is what I had to do and it's a long tedious process but the results are worth the effort. In fact, my blade still gets stuck a little in the down position, so I use my boat hook each time to raise the blade by pushing on the protruding top edge of the blade just under the lower pintle. I'd rather do this than mount a handle in back of the rudder. For one thing, it doesn't look too nautical, and for another, you don't want to drill any holes in that rudder blade that can cause water to get into it resulting in problems down the road. If you have a rudder blade hold up pendant line which the PO probably installed himself, make sure that the inside edge of the hole is coated with epoxy to seal out any water. I used to hit things with my rudder years ago when I sailed in a lake next to my house. I no longer sail that lake and I can't remember ever hitting anything since then where I sail now. I may drag my rudder in the mud occasionally during an extreme low tide, but I release the line and let the rudder come up and just use the outboard to steer my boat. I have a metal pin on top of my tiller that is used for my autopilot. I also have a piece of leather sewed around the tiller that is used for chaffing purposes. When I pull my rudder blade down, I take three turn around the tiller and tie a simple under-hand locking loop over the pin. I just try not to hit anything with my rudder blade down. If I have to maneuver in shallow water, I raise the blade and use the outboard while keeping the blade away from the prop.
Joe

 

[Dave K, O'day 192]

Rudder mods

Mich,

I have the original foam filled rudder on my O'day 192. I believe it to be very similar to what is used on the 222. My rudder has only a hold-down line. When released, the rudder floats up on it's own if the boat is moving. I have to jostle it a little if the boat is tied up.

I did convert the fixed clam cleat to the CL272 snap-release version and it is a very successful modification that I would recommend.

Dave

 

[Jonrod222]

I am using the standard plastic cam cleat that came with a new tiller from D and R. It is not open across the top so the line can't fall away from the cleat. The plastic cleat also lets the line slip under pressure, which is a good thing were I sail. I did tie a knot in the line so the rudder only kicks up to the level of the keel so I still have good control of the boat till I am back in deep water.