Rudder not centred???

[Paul R]

Looking to find an answer to what are the effect(s) on a vessel if a single rudder located on the stern is off centre from the hull?

[messabout]

Are you referring to a sailboat or a single screw power boat?

[Paul R]

Sail boat.

[El Sea]

Props are generally off-center so as to remove the prop shaft with out dropping the rudder.... Only a slight and most of the time un-notice effect on steering.

[lewisboats]

Depending on how far off center it is the effects can be negligible to serious. If it is only a couple inches off centerline it shouldn't make all that much difference but if it is way off to the side it just may come out of the water enough to affect steering when heeled. Some boats have twin rudders...when heeled one is always buried well so as to provide steering.

[alan white]

When the boat heels the rudder can on the one hand rise out of the water, losing bite. On the other hand it will increase area on the other tack, and there may be helm balancing issues as a result.
As long as rudder is nearly centered, this shouldn't be a problem.

[TollyWally]

In the past sometimes either the shaft and wheel or the rudder was slightly offcenter to optimise effective thrust and negate the need for the rudder to be slightly cocked when moving forward. William Atkin was fond of this little trick. It isn't much but optimization is often the sum of many small things rather than just a few large ones.

[philSweet]

I presume there is a reason you are considering this. Are you trying to shift a kicker more to the center? Clear a tiller of an obstruction? Center your butt on the stern deck? What is the size, weight, and type of sailboat? Is this a transom hung rudder?

[Paul R]

Thanks for the feedback!
I was curious wether there would be effect on the stability when underway and if there would be any sufficient drag/loss in speed encountered when steering. The rudder is off centre due to a manufacturing fault, although not by much, so I believe the question have been answered.

[Easy Rider]

Just for theoretical fun.
What if the rudder was off center enough to be outside the propwash and located on the correct side to counteract the directional effects of prop walk, or as some people put it ..P factor. If the boat had a CCW propeller and the rudder off to port .. could neutralize everything and be very efficient. Ha Ha

Easy

[rasorinc]

Some of the Atkins boat plans off set the engine and rudder for better performance. Rescue Minor pops into my mind. http://www.atkinboatplans.com/

http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Ph...nor/index.html

[TollyWally]

hmmm see post 7

[rasorinc]

Missed that totally--you explaned it well as the plan info does not go into it.