Kitchen Rudder

[fishwife]

I'm considering replacing my rudder with a 'kitchen' type Kitchen rudder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia because of the much better manoeuvring it imparts.

I wonder if anyone has any experience with this style of rudder and if you do, did it have any impact on fuel economy? Fuel economy is going to be important because I'm going to need the range, with some long passages planned. The architect I talked to thought it may actually improve efficiency.

P.

[Blue Stocking]

What type of boat are you thinking about using this on. It was standard equipment on many US Navy 40 and 50 ft shipboard open boats. These were all displacement hulls which usually operated around 10-12 knots max.

[fishwife]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

What type of boat are you thinking about using this on. It was standard equipment on many US Navy 40 and 50 ft shipboard open boats. These were all displacement hulls which usually operated around 10-12 knots max.

A 62 foot long range trawler. My cruising speed tends to be around 8 knots with a top speed just short of eleven knots, though I very seldom go to wide open throttle.

P.

[Blue Stocking]

I know of 2 of these launches. The Kitchen gear is all externally mounted on the transom, and consists of 2 deck operated helmsman tiller type levers. 1 orientates the clamshells for directional control, and the other closes the clamshells to reverse thrust. Both of these boats where fitted with Buda diesels without transmissions. I will see if I can get some photos.

[fishwife]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

I know of 2 of these launches. The Kitchen gear is all externally mounted on the transom, and consists of 2 deck operated helmsman tiller type levers. 1 orientates the clamshells for directional control, and the other closes the clamshells to reverse thrust. Both of these boats where fitted with Buda diesels without transmissions. I will see if I can get some photos.

Thank you

I have designed, with the help of my naval architect, a system whereby the helm would be a conventional wheel and the opening and closing of the clam shells would be via a gear type lever along side the actual gear lever, which will only be required to place the engine in forward. If I was building from new, I'd make things much simpler by just having a reduction box and clutch, without the need for a reverse gear.

P.