old style rudder and beaching

maciekdp

New Member
I realized today that the old style rudder hardware has a built-in spring (a flat bronze bar) which is meant to give and let the rudder flip up in case of a strike. I used to tighten the wingnut all the way, which prevented that from happening, and so I used to be concerned with damaging the rudder when in shallow water. Now the problem is solved. Are most people aware of this?
 
the old style rudder which we still have is terrible to tight and its dosent pop too lose and and is floating in the breeze we are thinking about replacing the whole unit a little pricey
 
Well, its either one way or another. If you tighten it down all the way then yes you have troubles when beaching or encountering under water thingy's. Leave it loose enough to pop then in winds over 10 knots it tends to jump out when you need it the most and the boat does a round up. Taken many an unexpected bath when it happens.
 
I use an adjustable hose clamp which I fully open and thread behind the rudder bracket and then tighten it mostly leaving it loose enough to allow for full travel of the rudder. It isn't perfect and you need to keep a screw driver handy but it does keep the rudder from floating free.
 

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