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balanced rudder

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Steve Meyer
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/08/2007 : 15:25:11

My rudder is cracked and is pretty bad shape. I would like to buy the balanced rudder from Catalina Direct, but I would like to continue racing and have heard that this rudder is not "race legal". Does anyone know what the official Class rule is?
PS
Keep in mind. Oklahoma is in the middle of the country and an easy pull from anywhere. Please consider coming for the Nationals 2008
Derek,
It's a lot closer than Lake Cheney

Steve

SEM

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2007 : 19:03:57

Steve,
The balanced rudder is class legal (I used mine in the Cheney Nationals). I will be in OK for your Nationals as Chief Measurer. Hopefully I'll get to crew for someone...

Edited by - on

Steve Meyer
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2007 : 09:01:03

Thanks Derek.
I'm sure I can find you a ride. There are several boats that will compete from the club that would love to have a guy with your experience on board!!!
Can you tell a difference with the "balanced" rudder?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2007 : 09:56:38

One of the interesting issues for a racer is the balanced rudder is foam cored so not only does it help with the feel of the helm, (more in a minute), but it weighs less on the transom; in fact it floats so it is negative weight on the transom, a racer's dream!
As to how it feels... irrelevant to a racer. The issue is that it has additional wetted surface. I wonder about the part that is forward of the pintle axis, is it acting like an airbrake/H2Obrake instead of simply diverting flow?
The IDA is also approved for our class and I think it has the least wetted surface.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2007 : 10:56:56

Steve, The balanced rudder is a helmsman's dream! With the original, in any wind over about 8k I had a death grip on the tiller and it was under my chin. Now I can drive with 2 fingers in any wind! It's like changing from a '40's car to one with power steering.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2007 : 13:10:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Frank Hopper
 I wonder about the part that is forward of the pintle axis, is it acting like an airbrake/H2Obrake instead of simply diverting flow?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">How does the water know where the pintles are? In the water, a surface is just a surface. The forces on the surface are just more evenly distributed around the axis (pintles) as they affect the tiller. The balanced rudder I bought from CD also had a more modern foil shape that reduced turbulence (eliminating flutter), presumably reducing drag and improving lift. Its shape was different, but I'm not sure there was more surface area below the waterline.

Now, about that floatation making the boat faster......

Edited by - on

Steve Meyer
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2007 : 12:11:56

Ok,
I hate to be thick headed, but......
I went to the web site and got confused. Do I need the HDPE plastic rudder for $419 or do I need the balanced, foam core rudder for $564 plus $50 packing and $50 Shipping? Are both class legal??
ps
Happy Veteran's day!

Edited by - on

SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2007 : 10:24:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Frank Hopper
As to how it feels... irrelevant to a racer. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I gotta disagree here. How the helm "feels" when racing is HUGE. If you have to haul on the helm, you're creating drag in the water (slow). If you have NO feel on the helm (0 wx helm), it can be difficult to stay in the groove. What you want is just a wee bit of wx helm so you can feel the boat as it edges close to the outsides of the optimal wind angle, and speed changes (as well as wind direction/velocity shifts). Balanced rudders will have a lighter touch to the helm, and increase the transmission of what's going on with the boat, rather than just transmitting pressure to hold a course.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The issue is that it has additional wetted surface.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I haven't looked at the differences in surface area for a stock vs balanced rudder, but I'd bet that the fact that it's balanced, lighter, and probably has a better hydrodynamic profile would more than offset any increase in wetted surface area.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I wonder about the part that is forward of the pintle axis, is it acting like an airbrake/H2Obrake instead of simply diverting flow?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">As mentioned earlier by Dave, the water doesnt care where the hinge point of the wing is, only how much surface area is offset and by how much to the exsiting flow. The balance part uses the offset "hinge point" to balance the feel of the helm to the driver.

Just my $0.02.
Jim

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