rudder again

[Bill]

Sounds like the ideal solution.  Of course, the assembly would cost about the same as two or three "good" Airels/Commanders :eek:

[Sprite]

Gee Bill  ,

thought we would go for the fleet rate. I think we.ve got enough
Ariels todo it.


                Captain John:D

[marymandara]

I'm doing a pair of zoomy Triton rudders, and I was going to use graphite ('carbon fiber') cloth over the foam, then sheathe with a layer of kevlar for abrasion resistance.

Fortunately, I ran my final specs past my buddy the Naval Architect, and was saved from a bad mistake...turns out that graphite is very noble, and nearly any less noble metal in immediate contact (as the rudder stock would be) or very close proximity (as the rudder shoe and straps would be) will make like a very soft zinc on a steel fishboat hull! Yipes!

Decided I'd save the graphite compulsion for above-the-water parts if they're gonna touch metal!

Dave

[Sprite]

What if the rod leading down to the shoe as well as the shoe were carbon fiber. I am not saying I would do it myself.
I just curious if it would work in theory.
If all the components were made of carbon fiber.
   

                   Capt John


 

[marymandara]

Be great as long as there were no other metal components mounted on the outside of the boat below the waterline, I imagine!

There is also an issue of helm balance. If the rudder is too light, it will try to float up...creating more effort on the tiller. Too heavy, it would go the other way. I think the heavy helm at extreme angles of heel may be in part due to the buoyancy of the stock rudder, perhaps.

One of Olin Stephens' oceanracers of yore had a hollow rudder into wich the helmsman could pump either water (weight) or air (to evacuate the water) in order to balance the helm as needed.
Not that I'm gonna do it, but an interesting point all the same.

Dave

[Sprite]

I personally have a bronze one. The previous owner must have changed it because it sure didn't come from Bristol RI


John