Overweight rudder?

[KevinV]

Just wanting a thought check from those with more experience.

Rudder as per photos, it seems to me that the thickness of the stock is pointless with the cutouts made for the pintels? That the material outlined in the last photo is extraneous?
I've done a rough calculation that the weight isn't there to stop the rudder floating, so the only reason for it being there is ease of building, or failure to find bigger pintels?
Have I got it all wrong?

 

[DownWest]

Maybe he started with the designer's ideas and, as you suggest, used narrower pintals, or, used the mortice for the tiller as a start and worked down. Either way, it looks strong enough.. You could just fill in the spaces ?
What is the boat?

 

[Hacker]

I wouldn’t recommend thinning those cheek pieces down. As the whole stock is quite narrow the width is needed for strength. Ideally the tails on the pintal could/should have been wider; unless they are rebated so that they don’t snag on something. Not sure I’d change anything.

 

[KevinV]

What is the boat?

Sorry, I should have said - a little 18 footer (which is why the stock looks massive to me)

 

[LittleSister]

The thickness of the stock is to resist the twisting force applied to it when the rudder is operated. This can be quite considerable, especially bearing in mind the rudder has no balancing area forward of the pivot point.

I'd leave it as it is.

 

[DownWest]

Sorry, I should have said - a little 18 footer (which is why the stock looks massive to me)

Ah, Selway Fisher, you could ask him. I have heard he is very receptive of comments.

 

[KevinV]

Ah, Selway Fisher, you could ask him. I have heard he is very receptive of comments.

He's been really helpful so far, but I don't like wasting his time either

 

[KevinV]

Thanks folks, it's all a learning curve - I hadn't really considered twist, it is quite a barn door for the size of the boat, I'd figured my strength would be the weak link in the equation.
I'll take all your advice - it ain't broke, so I won't fix it

 

[DownWest]

To add, the twist is dependent on the balance of the rig. I doubt that there is much involved there to need a big helm input.

 

[KevinV]

I haven't sailed it yet - still undoing the previous owner's paintwork - but I agree it shouldn't be hard to balance (gaff cutter)

 

[Wansworth]

Keeping the boat balanced will be important with such a barn door of a rudders í