Fixing a Rudder Retention Problem

[thewoodenboatman]

Hi All

My Seadrift 20 (a little 2 ton bilge keeler) has a hefty, transom-mounted, wooden rudder which the previous owner warned me can come adrift when the boat sits on the bottom on her mooring. This has not yet happened to me but I note there is nothing other than gravity holding the rudder on its pintles and gudgeons.

I know that many small sailing dinghies use rudder retaining clips to keep their rudders locked onto the pintles/gudgeons. Does anyone know whether a beefier equivalent is available for a bigger boat and, if so, where I might buy one?

In the alternative, can anyone suggest another, perhaps better, way to retain the rudder on its mounts?

Best wishes

Mike

 

[VicS]

Drill the transom pintle and fit a split pin.

Make a collar that can be fitted on the pintle and held by a couple of grub screws locating in "dimples"


If the meantime drill though stock and tiller and thread a knotted length of rope through the two and make secure to the rail so that if it lifts off it's not lost.

Luckily mine is light enough to lift off and stow safely but i always have the rope on it just in case.

 

[thewoodenboatman]

Thanks VicS. Useful suggestions indeed.

I don't much fancy trying to drill through a pintle while it's attached to the hull but the collar idea sounds good. So too is your advice as to securing with a rope.

My rudder is pretty heavy, though I have, for now, removed it and stowed in the cabin (had a tender nicked off a rack ashore so worried about losing the rudder to the light-fingered types).

I note you have a Sea Wych, very similar in size and design attributes to the Seadrift 20. Nice!

Regards

Mike

 

[pmagowan]

I drilled a hole in mine and stuck a bolt through. Does the job.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I think my only concern might be that if you go with collars/locking screws and pins, you could end up doing the boat some damage if the rudder can't lift off in a situation where you might actually want it to...??? A line or rope to secure it to the boat is a good ideam - and that may be all you need to do?? If security is an issue make the line a bicycle lock or similar.....??

 

[ianat182]

Would a pivoting rudder be a possible solution,or a change to a vertical daggerboard type that retracts and is held down by a pin at the selected levels; usually this latter type of rudder will give a lightened helm and lower drag,and the retainer can be a permanent fitting if required; a good DIY project whilst you still keep sailing. Chord width of the foil and the full extended depth should match the original area. Have seen this arrangement on a SEAL 22' where the depths were very shallow and steerage with the original pivot type was very heavy indeed under power.


ianat182

 

[thewoodenboatman]

I think my only concern might be that if you go with collars/locking screws and pins, you could end up doing the boat some damage if the rudder can't lift off in a situation where you might actually want it to...??? A line or rope to secure it to the boat is a good ideam - and that may be all you need to do?? If security is an issue make the line a bicycle lock or similar.....??

I am not quite sure whether the original designer intended the rudder to pop up off its mounts in some stressed circumstances. Unfortunately, Norman Pearn is no longer with us I am told. The possibility of damage should the rudder be locked on its pintles had crossed my mind. It seems a catch-22 situation and one I think might best be put to a naval architect. If I do that I will post his advice here.

Would a pivoting rudder be a possible solution,or a change to a vertical daggerboard type that retracts and is held down by a pin at the selected levels; usually this latter type of rudder will give a lightened helm and lower drag,and the retainer can be a permanent fitting if required; a good DIY project whilst you still keep sailing. Chord width of the foil and the full extended depth should match the original area. Have seen this arrangement on a SEAL 22' where the depths were very shallow and steerage with the original pivot type was very heavy indeed under power.

Redesigning the rudder would not be something I would play with without first receiving expert advice. Nonetheless, what you propose are sensible possibilities and I may yet put them to a naval architect for consideration.

Meanwhile, I think I may go for VicS's idea of a lanyard (dyneema or wire rope) to hang on to the rudder/tiller should it come adrift. A temporary fix, but one that is unlikely to do any real harm while I take more detailed advice on this issue from a designer.

Sincere thanks to all of you for your well considered input. Much appreciated.

Best wishes

Mike