articulating rudder for sailboats

Discussion in 'Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics' started by seandepagnier, Jul 9, 2021.

  1. wet feet
    Joined: Nov 2004
    Posts: 1,390
    Likes: 433, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 124
    Location: East Anglia,England

    wet feet Senior Member

    I remember reading about the proposed Racing Machine that L Francis Herreshoff proposed which featured an articulating rudder.I believe the number actually built to the design is precisely zero.Making and connecting the control linkage would be no small task and sealing between the sections to reduce flow migration would be a further challenge.The old concept of simplify and add lightness has much to recommend it.
     

  2. Earl Boebert
    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posts: 392
    Likes: 62, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 302
    Location: Albuquerque NM USA

    Earl Boebert Senior Member

    "Live Yankee" was built with a flexible rudder. The rudder was constructed of five strips in a tapered cross section. Roger Taylor, LFH's biographer, said that the strips were rubber connected with piano hinges. Other documentation says they were wood connected by rubber. A curved rod inside the rudder flexed it into an arc when turned. As far as is known, nobody, including LFH, ever used that rudder design again.

    Cheers,

    Earl
     
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