Rudder Hold-Up

[jmhoying]

I couldn't find anything on recent post about this subject, but figure that it has been discussed before. I would like to find an easy way to hold the rudder blade in the up position for shallow beach areas, etc. I don't want to have to remove the whole assembly.
Thanks in advance,
Jack
( This is for my Daysailor II )

[Roger]

I drilled a small 3/16" hole near the top of the blade where a pull on a cord would have enough leverage to lift the blade out of the water. I then ran the cord through a clam cleat mounted on the rudder head, and knotted the end of the line so that it would not run out through the cleat.

I also created a downhaul but used a bungee cord for that. When I hit an underwater obstruction it kicks back down.

[kokko]

I did something similar. I drilled the rudder at the aft top, then mounted a clam cleat on the tiller for the uphaul. I then drilled the rudderhead forward top for the downhaul. I would send a pic but Truelove is tucked away for the long MN winter.

[kokko]

here is an article from Duckworks that is helpful

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/how ... /index.htm

[jmhoying]

Roger & Kokko,
Thanks for the replies. I was thinking along the same lines about running a small line to the top of the blade. I'll give it a try for sure next Spring. Do some models of Daysailers have rudders that are tight in the housing? The rudder on my DSII doesn't seem to need a downhaul.

[kokko]

Mine is fairly loose, but several people have added rubber washers around the pivot bolt to reduce the seing or floppiness. Because Truelove is in shallow water, I have to leave the dock with the rudder up. The downhaul line is a lot easier than leaning over the transom to push the blade down.
Ditto when I bring it back to the dock. The blade will float up a bit when I release the downhaul, but I like to pull it up nearly horizontal or it will drag in the sand.

It is so nice to talk about our sailboats when the temp in MN is below zero