Fixed v Lifting Rudders

[RB]

Yet another question!!

Are there any advantages over a fixed rudder as opposed to lifting?

I notice that most boats use fixed rudders, is there any reason for this?

I have just converted my rudder to 15 deg and am wondering whether to have it fixed or lifting. Vey indecisive you see!

Thanks

Richard

[andyt15064]

Richard – there are two distinct advantages with fixed rudders. One they weight about half as much as a lifting rudder. Two don’t have any “slop” between the blade and the cheeks of the stock so the feel through the rudder is much more sensitive.

However if you’re sailing where there is a lot of shallow water it’s well worth using a lifting rudder to avoid straining the pintles and transom of your boat.

Andy

[RB]

Andy

Thanks for the response.

I have for a short time been a member at Crawley Mariners YC where the water can be very shallow in places hence I knocked up a home made stock to get me round these problems but as you say the two combined doubled if not tripled the weight! I have recently rejoined Weirwood SC where fortunately the water is deep and having never used a fixed rudder I am slightly worried about launching and coming ashore and not being quick enough to remove a fixed rudder especially in a breeze trying to part pintle/rudder prior to the lot bottoming out and removing my transom Any tips?

[Jake_Crack]

Richard
Un-till you get the confidence to take it off and sail in without it you can always put it on the top pintel when coming ashore, as long as you use it lightly it should not stress your pintel to much. This means you can sail in with more confidence and not worry about Tearing the back of your boat apart (if you go in to quick :roll: )

Jake

[RB]

Cheers Jake.

[Author]

Posts