runabout rudder

[rogergray]

Do I really need to pay a naval architect to design a rudder for the 23ft mahogany runabout I'm restoring?.. she has no rudder or engine at present. The boat looks very much like an old Chris Craft, and if I could look underneath one of them I would have thought I could copy the rudder design. I'd bear in mind the engine size being like for like. Does this sound stupid? Any 23 ft runabout owners out there with inboared engines who could help/send pictures?
Thanks.

 

[burgundyben]

Hi Roger, been away for a fortnight otherwise I would have answered sooner.

I think you are quite right, you dont need a naval architect, you need something close.

You could contact Alan Burnard and ask him to provide you with a huntress rudder and fittings, I am quite sure he still makes the odd one for Fairey boats. Look a the fairey owners club website and you'll see the huntress is 23 foot and a planning hull.

The most important bit is that you need an aerofoil section, othrwise you'll get a dead patch at speed.

Hope this helps, feel free to email agina any questions.

Ben