Steering problems

[caps38]

I have a 15m schooner and I am having problems with the steering.
I was told I should extend the rudder which will make it easier to steer.
I have cable steering and find it hard to use reverse and the boat does not respond easily going forward at low speed. I would appreciate some suggestions to help me to solve the problem.
caps38

[FSMike]

I would think that most of your difficulty stems from having a heavily built 50' full keel design. It is not going to respond quickly at slow speeds period.

If it is physically hard to steer your boat in reverse you may be turning the rudder too far and stalling it. Try not turning it all the way over. Otherwise, replacement with a hydraulic system would make it easier to turn.
If your problem in reverse is steering direction the best solution is practice.
A larger rudder may help but I'm not sure how much.

[captain58sailin]

Sounds more like a cable issue than a rudder issue.

[Oceanride007]

Not enough info.
If its a new problem, check your bearings in the sheaves and lubricate, have you recently tightened the rudder gland.
If a old problem could you supply a image (Side view on the hard). Some designs put a barn door rudder far inboard. Bad for turning moment.
If the rudder is broad, in reverse it may very well overwhelm the helmsman. So don't go that way, could be, the advise to lengthen may be right. but I wouldn't go below keel.

[Schooner Chandlery]

Agree with Oceanrider007 that not enough info is provided. Low speed, not enough rudder authority is a common issue that one typically finds a way around -- like keeping your speed up. Also--problems in reverse happen simply because of prop walk and technique (or lack of it) in terms of backing with a full keel boat. OTOH, you can have problems with cables, steering gear, quadrant, etc, which are entirely different. More info?

PS --when we rebuilt our boat, we discovered a previous owner had wacked off about 4" of rudder. We rebuilt it to the full rudder size (all the removed material was aft) and it works wonderfully. We suspect the material was removed because the old rudder had rotted or been damaged at some point. Works wonderfully as designed by the naval architect. Do you have your original NA plans?