Transom hung rudder options - 50 ft catamaran

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by Ismotorsport, Apr 11, 2012.

  1. mydauphin
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    mydauphin Senior Member

    You never said much about the boat, besides 50' cat, or how you are going to use it.
    This will determine the answer.
     
  2. waikikin
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    waikikin Senior Member


    Simple & strong:cool:
     
  3. oldsailor7
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    oldsailor7 Senior Member

    Clyde Cessna's motto was "Simplicate and add less weight".
    Lock Crowther followed this dictum and the results were evidenced in all his designs.
    His Buccaneer 24 had a simple transom hung rudder which pivoted up, controlled by two lines leading to plastic jam cleats. Worked just fine.
    His Buccaneer 28 had a simple but very effective under slung spade rudder. I never had any problems with this rudder grounding.
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2012
  4. Silver Raven
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    Silver Raven Senior Member

    Saba - why would we want to steer the boat - with good - well designed - retractable rudder blades (as was requested in the original request post) at the cost of a great - wonderful - swim happy transom.

    I thought rudders were to steer boats with & swim ladderrs were for swimmers - darn - - must have got something wrong. Please enlighten me as to why I would want to compromise 'good steering' for a swim ladder. beats me.

    Please & thanks - ciao, james
     
  5. Silver Raven
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    Silver Raven Senior Member

    Gooday bloke - I'm outa-step-here. Big time. Lots of people in here are at contradiction with themselves - ie - - "I understand that thru hull rudders would be best " bla bla - Not so. Far to many boats sport transom-hung rudders for this opinion to be a 'given'.

    So as I said & I'm not going to take a backward step just cause others seem to think that - the premis - is a 'given'. There are some great examples that might well fly in the face of such a premis.

    I am sure a properly designed rudder blade - correct section - profile - size - shape overall would be far the better idea. Why anyone would expose their rudder(s) to smashing-up - rather than have them - flip-up - - is far beyond my comprehension - ooops chaps.

    On this one I'll keep to the size, shape, sections, profile - etc etc that - some of the best yacht designers - went to a whole lot of trouble to design & get right & all you's guy's in the know - can go your way. Ciao, james
     
  6. Silver Raven
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    Silver Raven Senior Member

    Why - is the water different in your area - does the water change because of how you choose to use it ??? What are your factual basis in design parameters ??? Please - so I can learn - what I really don't understand. ciao, james
     
  7. oldsailor7
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    oldsailor7 Senior Member

    Despite James's tendency to rant-----he is quite right.

    One can do no better than obtaining the excellent AYRS book No. 79 "Rudder Design for sailing craft".
    This book covers the whole subject in detail and is required reading for anyone designing, building or modifying his own boat for optimum performance and convenience. http://www.ayrs.org/ayrslist.htm
     
  8. sabahcat
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    sabahcat Senior Member

    I dont know james, why would you?
    Personally I'd have bioth, well designed retractable or kick up rudderblades AND wonderful swim happy transoms.

    I see no need to sacrifice one over the other

    Sounds like you have never had experience with both types James, I have and let me tell you there is no comparison between the two.
    Both types should steer the vessel with no problem at all but have fun climbing down or up some narrow swim ladder in any sort of slop with groceries in hand vs pulling up beside steps and calmly placing goods on steps before alighting onto a safe platform.

    Give me the swim steps and proper balanced spades any day over some rudder system stuck on the transom like some sort of afterthought.
     
  9. sabahcat
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    sabahcat Senior Member

    Why are you suggesting that a non transom hung rudder would not be properly designed or size/section etc?
     
  10. Silver Raven
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    Silver Raven Senior Member

    Try - - because they -- very simply - are NOT been better designed rudders & center-boards for the last 25 years. Try if you wish to waste time - keeping pace to 40 years ago but - I was there & I have moved on -

    WHY don't you. -With great respect for you opinion - - james - - ciao. I'M listening ???
     
  11. SPJ yachts
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    SPJ yachts Junior Member

    Have you considered cassette rudders, if your hull design has the W/L beam to accomodate.
     
  12. sabahcat
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    sabahcat Senior Member

    You've lost me, what are you babbling about?

    Are you trying to say that transom hung rudders are the best things ever, regardless and there is no way possible that under-slung rudders could equal or better them?

    I suggest you provide some form of evidence to support your claim.
     
  13. cavalier mk2
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    cavalier mk2 Senior Member

    I'm getting a little lost here too. I fail to understand what the retraction/kick up mechanism has to do with the rudder section. Inboard or outboard rudders can work well, I've used both.
     
  14. oldsailor7
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    oldsailor7 Senior Member


  15. oldsailor7
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    oldsailor7 Senior Member

    This thread is not quite settled.
    Sabahcat said:-
    "Are you trying to say that transom hung rudders are the best things ever, regardless and there is no way possible that under-slung rudders could equal or better them?
    I suggest you provide some form of evidence to support your claim."

    Come on James. What about it.:?:
     
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