rogergray
New Member
Could someone advise me whether I should go for mechanical or hydraulic steering for the 23ft mahogany runabout I am restoring. She'll need a fairly large inboard petrol engine.... Thanks if you can help.
runabout steering
- Thread starter rogergray
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burgundyben
Well-Known Member
You'll get much more feel from mechanical steering, hydraulic would be easier to install.
Both my 1930's runabouts have got steering operated by a car steering column and box, the drop arm connects to a linkage running aft to a tiller arm on the rudder post.
make sure your rudder has a aerofoil section or at speed you'll have a big deadspot.
Both my 1930's runabouts have got steering operated by a car steering column and box, the drop arm connects to a linkage running aft to a tiller arm on the rudder post.
make sure your rudder has a aerofoil section or at speed you'll have a big deadspot.
rogergray
New Member
Thanks. What do you mean by an aerofoil section on the rudder?
Spuddy
Well-Known Member
Like a plane wing, only symmetrical. Or like a thin teardrop - you know, like two bows tip to tip. The reason is that with this shape the water flows around without the turbulence you get from a flat plate.
A hydrodynamic expert, or check in books mentioned in recent threads for proportions but if twere me I'd try max thickness at about a third back from leading edge ( which should have a nice radius on it.)
A hydrodynamic expert, or check in books mentioned in recent threads for proportions but if twere me I'd try max thickness at about a third back from leading edge ( which should have a nice radius on it.)
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
Like this?
rogergray
New Member
All very helpful...Is the idea that the whole rudder from top to bottom has this aerofoil shape, or just a part of it?
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
Everything in the water.
burgundyben
Well-Known Member
Roger,
I'm not sure about your hull shape, this and your engine choice will define how fast and that will define size and shape of rudder, you'll need some of the blade to be in front of the pivot point, otherwise the steering will be very heavy.
I should think a huntress rudder would be about right and I think is readily available from Alan Burnard. He's on 023 8045 4000, he's usually in office fro mid to late morning.
Ben
I'm not sure about your hull shape, this and your engine choice will define how fast and that will define size and shape of rudder, you'll need some of the blade to be in front of the pivot point, otherwise the steering will be very heavy.
I should think a huntress rudder would be about right and I think is readily available from Alan Burnard. He's on 023 8045 4000, he's usually in office fro mid to late morning.
Ben
