Going Back to the original Fibreglass rudder

[cruiserpete]

Hi all,

As some may know I'm refurbishing my I563 and I was lucky enough to have the original fibreglass rudder in great condition and a wooden rudder included when I purchased my I563. Currently the I563 has been using the wooden rudder because all the rudder fittings are attached to the wooden rudder. However, my issue is that the wooden rudder is significantly heavier than the original F/G rudder.
The wooden rudder weighs in at 8.6kg
The original F/G rudder weighs 5.4kg

I'm sure weight is not a contributing factor to a rudders efficiency and I'm sure the original rudder is of good enough steering design to warrant its continued use. Although, I'm thinking of modifying and cutting the wooden rudder to convert it to a swing rudder however, that's not a priority at the moment.

Currently, I'm just sick of having to haul a needlessly heavy rudder up and down and into place on my I563.
Anyone else using their original F/G rudder ? or is there a rudder design out there in I563 world that others are using

Cheers, Pete

[Yara50]

Pete
A lot of owners have changed to some form of lifting rudder, as it is not that easy to get the original one on and off in the water.
See http://www.investigator563.com/forum/vi ... lit=rudder

There are some more ideas on http://www.investigator563.com/forum/vi ... lit=rudder

See also http://www.investigator563.com/forum/vi ... p?f=4&t=91

[Ozzie]

Pete my boat came with two rudders also and the timber rudder although a practical swing up design is very heavy with its metal top box . I favour the original but lifting it on and off in summer if we beach is a pain.

DSC01017-1.jpg (34.61 KiB) Viewed 3486 times

Recently I notice my GRP rudder to drain a lot of water out of it when lifted into the boat . I assume this means it has a leak and the internal timber is maybe rotted away or absorbing water It still seems structurally ok . Anyone dissected an original rudder whats inside?

If I could mount a shortened GRP rudder in the metal frame it may be lighter but obviously its a one way experiment ...cant join it back on.

[Dr. Peter]

I changed to a gal steel ex Hartley 18 item (see other posts). It is heavy and I lean out the back to pull it up, but once it is out the way steering is possible on the outboard. I have a pennant to pull it up that is a combination of stay wire and 3 mm line passing through a cleat fixed to the tiller handle. Its the initial start that can be awkward, because the rudder is kicked forward of the pintles, but after that easy.

First point: How often do you lift a rudder up and down in a day of sailing anyway?
Second point: The boat weighs 750 odd kilos and there is 366kg in ballast. Your rudder is a tiny weight in proportion to this.
Third point: The original fixed rudder has a lot of negatives IMHO - see my other posts, why would you want to use it?