Suggestions for my almost finished Mini

[Phil Locker]

Originally Posted by yago

If you really think about racing it, I would most certainly see that your rudders are transom hung/kickup etc.
Being able to carry a spare and change at sea has already made the difference betweeen abandon and carry-on for several participants in the current vendee globe (http://www.vendeeglobe.org/). Looks like every race there is more floating junk out there knocking off rudders keels and dagerboards.

Might be the subject of a new thread, but can anyone describe the design/engineering of fuses/shear-pins for rudders? Don't want them shearing under sailing loads (even when dragging weeds) but of course you want them to let go as soon as you contact something substantial. Does anyone use anything more sophisticated, such as a ski-binding type device?

Cheers
Phil

My only real concern is if it releases in heavy seas. You have little control when you need it most. It must be resettable from a safe position.-------- I am available for consulting. Room board and boat.

[Paul B]

Originally Posted by JagerL

I would like to try assy. rudders to generate more net lift/drag, but I need to do some more research.

When you consider what a rudder does in all modes you will probably re-think this idea. Rudders need to develop lift in both positive and negative angles of attack. Having the amount of lift vastly different would not be good, especially for self-steering systems.