I hope Team Excellent Adventure doesn't mind me reposting this image (attached). The Ruddercraft kick-up rudder on their M17 failed twice during the Race to Alaska, once breaking a weld, and the second time actually snapping the rudder blade itself. They were in much rougher conditions (8 foot seas) than most M17s ever experience. I don't mean to attack Ruddercraft, but just wanted to mention/discuss this as I suspect the factory solid mahogany rudder is stronger. Joel Santarone of Ruddercraft has been straightforward in the past about collecting and sharing failure statistics, and shows here that they have had failures, but their failure rates on most boats are lower than with the factory rudders: http://forum.trailersailor.com/post.php?id=1248931 The factory rudders can also fail, my M15 had a cracked pintle strap when I bought it, but I don't know under what conditions the damage occurred. Sincerely, Tyler Davis, CA '81 M15 "Defiant"
