Vessel Model: Malcom Tennant 20M and Noordzee Kotter 52
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 984
A rudder to be thankful for
We put Klee Wyck on the hard for some minor work yesterday. Check out the size of the rudder compared to the size of the human. I am always glad to have this in tight quarters. Interested in other rudder pics on single engine boats. Also, my wheel is seven full turns form hard over to hard over with a fairly large wheel. Any comments on that? Seems like a lot.
Reminds me of the rudder on my sailboat (Allied Mistress 39). About as tall as I am. And let the sailboat turn on a dime. The Gulfstar rudders seem to be toys by comparison . . . have to depend on the twin engines more than the rudders when traveling at idle speed. Oh well. No one ever promised me a rose garden, I guess. :-)
Willy's rudder has plenty of authority from size and a 90 degree swing. She responds fairly well after she's taken out of gear. Was 5 turns LTL (35 degrees each way) but I used a different attach point on the rudder's horn to have a complete rudder swing in a little under 3 TLTL and 45 degrees each way. Much less twirling the helm in the harbor, much sharper turns and great stern sea control w minimal effort. But big following seas still require some working of the helm. Steering is Sea Star Capalano hydraulic.
Vessel Model: Malcom Tennant 20M and Noordzee Kotter 52
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 984
To the Propspeed comment: Based on prior comments on this forum, I asked for it at this yard and they replied that it was temporarily unavailable and offered an alternative which I do not remember at the moment. I went online to Fisheries Supply and then WestMarine. Fisheries supply lists it as discontinued but WM lists products called PropSpeed from two manufacturers. Any idea what the deal is and who makes the 'real' Propspeed?
48x20 rudder, 40x23 prop on 3" shaft, 2x6 bronze shoe (runs the entire length of the keel). Helm is Capilano 275V with 3.5 turns lock-to-lock (adjustable). Handles great, but shifting the rudder lock-to-lock takes time.
Although with props being close to rudders, turning at nearly any speed creating prop wash, these relatively small rudders do track fairly well; I don’t touch the wheel, leaving rudders parallel to hull, in all really close quarters. Also, at very slow <2 knots canal crawl rudders are seldom used for steering. Per screw: Forward, neutral, reverse with applicable rpm adjustment each engine lets me handle our Tolly similar to a full track tractor. Having piloted singles; I appreciate twins.
For less than idle speed I love my trolling valve. I'd prefer a CPP like I had on my Romsdal many years ago, but obviously the refit cost is prohibitive!
I read a while back that Wind Horse uses only a jog - no wheel - because of response speed. I might look into that.
In fact, I've also been thing about adding a thruster. The Army tug I mentioned in my Gig Harbor thread had one and I didn't realize it until he mentioned it. Hydraulic with a proportionate valve - very, very nice and not embarrassing in use.
Cheers Art!
The photo unfortunately does not do it justice, no scale there, it's huge. I have a 5' arm span and I have to use all of it to span across from leading edge to trailing edge when I clean the sucker. The leading edge indent will accommodate the necessary clearance when you want to pull the shaft (perish the thought,,,).
Refugio,
our N62 has a hydraulic proportional stern thruster - 25 HP - continuous duty. Makes me look like a Rock Star when docking. (I need it!)
I know the OP asked for pics of rudders on single engine boats - but thought I would post these pics of the fiberglass Great Harbour "Fishtail Rudders" that we have been installing on our trawlers since about 2004. 60% smaller turning circle at cruise speed than the old flat-plate steel rudders.
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"Before you criticize someone, you should first walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you DO criticize them, you'll be a mile away and you'll have their shoes." Stephen Wright.
Cheers Art!
The photo unfortunately does not do it justice, no scale there, it's huge. I have a 5' arm span and I have to use all of it to span across from leading edge to trailing edge when I clean the sucker. The leading edge indent will accommodate the necessary clearance when you want to pull the shaft (perish the thought,,,).
Andy - Maybe you could Photoshop a pict of "The Hulk" slightly bent over flexing in front of it. Lou had plenty muscles but was not too tall. That visual should get the point across!!
I know the OP asked for pics of rudders on single engine boats - but thought I would post these pics of the fiberglass Great Harbour "Fishtail Rudders" that we have been installing on our trawlers since about 2004. 60% smaller turning circle at cruise speed than the old flat-plate steel rudders.
Any perceptible change in RPM to speed... or fuel-use to distance traveled with fishtails?