derekcjackson
Member
Many people do not realize that the initiative to update the rudder goes back over 15 years ago. This was around the period when the fiberglass centerboard was introduced.
Unlike today, at that time, the manufacturer was only selling wooden rudders. Larry Cochran was a member of the Advisory Council and was leading the initiative. The project was put on hold after the manufacturer at that time refused to incorporate the design. Less than 10 years ago, Tom Whitehurst resurrected the project when the new manufacturer was struggling to find quality wood to produce the rudder. Vanguard had produced a plastic blade, from the same construction material as the current daggerboard, that fell outside of the class rules because it was too thick. This was seen as a good opportunity to resurrect the project. Since that time, the manufacturer retooled to produce a fiberglass (FRP) blade of the current design that is compliant with the rules.
Larry Cochran provided me with some of his hand written notes from when he first started the initiative. I have done my best to type them word for word, and Larry has reviewed them. Here they are:
1. Mounting on new hull is 5/8” lower: 5% more area. Rudder is too small for good steering response especially off wind in heavy air. So, 5% more is a significant advantage in control.
Increasing area by 10-15%, improving sweep and profile would move it beyond the marginal / critical size so that the remaining 3% difference (due to the mounting and with a short chord) would be insignificant. (Or less so)
2. Production wood rudders vary in size just like the wooden dagger boards. Some people have maxed out their rudders and reshaped the leading and trailing edges for better performance and stall resistance. The total difference in area could easily be 10%.
3. Because of (1) and (2) above, all rudders are not the same, so are not “1-design”. People are just not as aware of this as they are of the board differences because the rudder has less effect on performance.
4. If you say, “So what? Who needs a new design rudder?” then you are saying that these variations don’t matter, and that if we come out with a plastic rudder of present design, people would not have to buy it because rudder performance is not critical.
5. If people don’t think of the rudder as critical to performance / steering, then they still wouldn’t have to buy a new plastic rudder, even if it were a new design.
6. Either way, people could go on using their old wooden rudders until they break, which all will do eventually. Then when all sailors have the plastic rudder, will be one design?
No, if it was made to the old shape. Still have a critical 5% difference in the area due to the different mountings.
Essentially, yes, if made to a new design because 3-4% remaining difference in area will be out of the critical range, or less critical.
7. Since rudders have so many durability problems, bringing pressure to buy a new one by changing the design is less objectionable than for the dagger board because most rudders are going to split or wear out anyway.
If you are going to buy a new plastic rudder anyway, why not get the new design, too? Sure you can make an old rudder last by reinforcing it as many have, but most people don’t have the time or talent to do this.
8. If a new design rudder is proposed, the class would have to be told what effect it would have on performance and steering. Effect on performance will be so subtle that it will be hard to show.
The improvement in steering response will be the biggest, most noticeable benefit; but for most sailing conditions this improves handling and control, not speed, so those who are satisfied with the present handling and control should not feel that they have to buy a new design plastic rudder to be competitive.
9. SLI wants a new design rudder to match (or balance) the racing sail and new dagger board to make the boat more attractive, easier to sail and more up-to date with modern design. This will help sell boats and eventually help build the class and the popularity of the Sunfish.
-JLC
Revisions to 4-12-1993 memo:
1. Rudder is too small, especially with racing sail (bigger and more powerful)
Better start out with: We don’t have 1-design because a) Mounting difference with old versus new hull, and b) same reasons as dagger board.
Emphasize rudder is too small.
3. Put more effect on control (which is harder to measure + contributes little if any to winning races). Better sailors may have learned how to deal with the lack of control.
4. If anyone feels we don’t need a new rudder then he also must think that the above differences do not matter. If he really believes this, then he should be satisfied to continue sailing with his old design rudder after others are using a new design. He should feel that he has an equal chance of winning. If he is satisfied with his control, than the others have no advantage.
10. What will be the incentive for people to buy the new rudder? (As per the new board)
A. For those who prefer better control
B. When old rudder cracks, splits or wears out
C. No need to max out and shape old rudder
11. We have two rudder designs now and no issue over the difference. Most use the new 1971 design, older one may be better.
The appeal of the Sunfish is its simplicity and ease of sailing. It’s easy to transport and set up for sailing. You don’t have to be a “gorilla” to sail it in heavier air. It is stable and forgiving. These are all characteristics that make the boat easy to sail and appealing to young people. The lack of control with the current rudder is the one trait that doesn’t fit the picture. Improving control with a new design rudder will complete the process of updating the boat for the best balance and control, while preserving the original nature and intent of the Sunfish.
The Sunfish would then offers its maximum appeal to beginners as a boat that is really fun and easy to sail, yet is also a great boat to race. This would bring more people into the class and expand the appeal of the boat.
13. People don’t want to pay for a new rudder. But look at the price of other boats (laser etc) Sunfish is still a bargain.
After these notes were retyped in September of 2009 and Larry reviewed them. He thought it was important to clarify point 9. The manufacturer at the time wanted a new rudder. However, they never agreed to produce Larry's design. Instead they created a design that could be shared across several different kinds of boats. The class tested this design, found it to be insufficient and rejected it. Larry's design was never produced because of the cost of tooling a mold. Regardless, Larry believes this illustrates that the manufacturer had good intentions and viewed the project as worthwhile.
Unlike today, at that time, the manufacturer was only selling wooden rudders. Larry Cochran was a member of the Advisory Council and was leading the initiative. The project was put on hold after the manufacturer at that time refused to incorporate the design. Less than 10 years ago, Tom Whitehurst resurrected the project when the new manufacturer was struggling to find quality wood to produce the rudder. Vanguard had produced a plastic blade, from the same construction material as the current daggerboard, that fell outside of the class rules because it was too thick. This was seen as a good opportunity to resurrect the project. Since that time, the manufacturer retooled to produce a fiberglass (FRP) blade of the current design that is compliant with the rules.
Larry Cochran provided me with some of his hand written notes from when he first started the initiative. I have done my best to type them word for word, and Larry has reviewed them. Here they are:
Reasons Why We Don’t Have a One-Design Rudder
(Or Why We Need a New Design Rudder)
By Larry Cochran
4/12/1993
(Or Why We Need a New Design Rudder)
By Larry Cochran
4/12/1993
1. Mounting on new hull is 5/8” lower: 5% more area. Rudder is too small for good steering response especially off wind in heavy air. So, 5% more is a significant advantage in control.
Increasing area by 10-15%, improving sweep and profile would move it beyond the marginal / critical size so that the remaining 3% difference (due to the mounting and with a short chord) would be insignificant. (Or less so)
2. Production wood rudders vary in size just like the wooden dagger boards. Some people have maxed out their rudders and reshaped the leading and trailing edges for better performance and stall resistance. The total difference in area could easily be 10%.
3. Because of (1) and (2) above, all rudders are not the same, so are not “1-design”. People are just not as aware of this as they are of the board differences because the rudder has less effect on performance.
4. If you say, “So what? Who needs a new design rudder?” then you are saying that these variations don’t matter, and that if we come out with a plastic rudder of present design, people would not have to buy it because rudder performance is not critical.
5. If people don’t think of the rudder as critical to performance / steering, then they still wouldn’t have to buy a new plastic rudder, even if it were a new design.
6. Either way, people could go on using their old wooden rudders until they break, which all will do eventually. Then when all sailors have the plastic rudder, will be one design?
No, if it was made to the old shape. Still have a critical 5% difference in the area due to the different mountings.
Essentially, yes, if made to a new design because 3-4% remaining difference in area will be out of the critical range, or less critical.
7. Since rudders have so many durability problems, bringing pressure to buy a new one by changing the design is less objectionable than for the dagger board because most rudders are going to split or wear out anyway.
If you are going to buy a new plastic rudder anyway, why not get the new design, too? Sure you can make an old rudder last by reinforcing it as many have, but most people don’t have the time or talent to do this.
8. If a new design rudder is proposed, the class would have to be told what effect it would have on performance and steering. Effect on performance will be so subtle that it will be hard to show.
The improvement in steering response will be the biggest, most noticeable benefit; but for most sailing conditions this improves handling and control, not speed, so those who are satisfied with the present handling and control should not feel that they have to buy a new design plastic rudder to be competitive.
9. SLI wants a new design rudder to match (or balance) the racing sail and new dagger board to make the boat more attractive, easier to sail and more up-to date with modern design. This will help sell boats and eventually help build the class and the popularity of the Sunfish.
-JLC
Revisions to 4-12-1993 memo:
1. Rudder is too small, especially with racing sail (bigger and more powerful)
Better start out with: We don’t have 1-design because a) Mounting difference with old versus new hull, and b) same reasons as dagger board.
Emphasize rudder is too small.
3. Put more effect on control (which is harder to measure + contributes little if any to winning races). Better sailors may have learned how to deal with the lack of control.
4. If anyone feels we don’t need a new rudder then he also must think that the above differences do not matter. If he really believes this, then he should be satisfied to continue sailing with his old design rudder after others are using a new design. He should feel that he has an equal chance of winning. If he is satisfied with his control, than the others have no advantage.
10. What will be the incentive for people to buy the new rudder? (As per the new board)
A. For those who prefer better control
B. When old rudder cracks, splits or wears out
C. No need to max out and shape old rudder
11. We have two rudder designs now and no issue over the difference. Most use the new 1971 design, older one may be better.
The appeal of the Sunfish is its simplicity and ease of sailing. It’s easy to transport and set up for sailing. You don’t have to be a “gorilla” to sail it in heavier air. It is stable and forgiving. These are all characteristics that make the boat easy to sail and appealing to young people. The lack of control with the current rudder is the one trait that doesn’t fit the picture. Improving control with a new design rudder will complete the process of updating the boat for the best balance and control, while preserving the original nature and intent of the Sunfish.
The Sunfish would then offers its maximum appeal to beginners as a boat that is really fun and easy to sail, yet is also a great boat to race. This would bring more people into the class and expand the appeal of the boat.
13. People don’t want to pay for a new rudder. But look at the price of other boats (laser etc) Sunfish is still a bargain.
After these notes were retyped in September of 2009 and Larry reviewed them. He thought it was important to clarify point 9. The manufacturer at the time wanted a new rudder. However, they never agreed to produce Larry's design. Instead they created a design that could be shared across several different kinds of boats. The class tested this design, found it to be insufficient and rejected it. Larry's design was never produced because of the cost of tooling a mold. Regardless, Larry believes this illustrates that the manufacturer had good intentions and viewed the project as worthwhile.