The snow has melted so it is time to get back to Woodie. Time to build a rudder, a racing rudder, something pretty. The newer rudders are rather industrial, I like the look of the old ODay ones but a wood rudder head would be pretty clunky too. I'm merging the two. So, here is a mock up.
The wood, there has to be some wood, is a nice chunk of Walnut, it will finish dark. Once I finish with the aluminum cheeks I'll have them anodized black. It is surprising how cheap that is, way less than painting. The pintles will be inlaid in the Walnut under the alloy cheeks and the holes in the aluminum are for copper rivets. I might give it a copper or bronze strap or two to give it a sort of steampunk look.
I still have a little shaping to do with the blade and I don't want to drill the pivot hole in it yet until I can measure it on the boat to determine the maximum depth I can get the rudder to go.
I've left the wood slightly long so I can cut it back once I get the measurements. I want the rudder to be able to hinge slightly forward. A racing trick, it is supposed to be a tad more efficient and will balance out a weather helm a bit.