I've been very happy with the rudder, which is well-built and serviceable. A split developed in the wooden head which was beginning to cause slight flexing under load which mad me uneasy, although there was no failure. I've sent it off to IdaSailor, who will replace the wooden head with a plastic one (lifetime guarantee) for under 100 bucks. I'll be glad to get it back. I sail in the Potomac River near DC where there is a lot of shallow water. I tend to use the rudder as a depth sounder. When it hits, the line holding it down slips in its cleat and the rudder comes up. When the water depth increases it's easy to put down again and you're on your way. When I sail with the fixed rudder, I have to sail much more like a fixed-keel boat and watch the channel markers and tide tables! Luckily the river bottom is mostly mud. Rick On Mon, Apr 19, 2010 at 6:12 PM, Gordon Gilbert <gordon@financialwriting.net
wrote:
Rick: I've been considering adding an IdaSailor rudder. What's your overall opinion of the rudder after using one for a while? Performance, build quality? Are all the components strong enough to hold up in the rough stuff?
Gordon M-17 "Sapphire"
On Apr 19, 2010, at 2:25 PM, Rick Davies wrote:
Speaking of rudders, my IdaSailor kickup rudder recently suffered a split head, so I am using the fixed rudder that came with my M-17 in 2005. I haven't used it much before, and have noticed that in a breeze I have significantly more weather helm that I had with the kickup rudder. The basic shape of both are similar, so I'm not sure why this should be the case. Does anyone have an explanation?
Thanks
Rick M-17 #6733 Lynne L
On Mon, Apr 19, 2010 at 11:15 AM, Hughston, Larry < Larry.Hughston@dgs.ca.gov
wrote:
Bones, I am a rare commenter but I would love to see a photo of the kick up rudder you made. I wonder if it would be worth it to make one for my little M-15. Is this rudder countered in front to allow for less weather helm? Thanks Bones. I read your posts and enjoy your long experience and knowledge. ---Larry H. In Sacramento M-15 restored hull 189 by Jerry.
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of bownez@juno.com Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2010 12:21 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: kick up rudder for M dink and M-17
HI Robbin,
Look back in the newsletter archives, there is an article I wrote and pictures of the kick-up rudder I made for my M17. A great addition I added a few years back is a releasing cleat. I got the idea from Idasailor. A lanyard holds the lower section of the rudder in position until it strikes ground or an object in the water. At which point the cleat releases and allows the lower section to swing aft. I tested it several times in the North Channel!
Later,
Bones
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