Hi all, I just bought an long keelAlbin Vega. These have the propeller located aft of the rudder so the PO installed a second rudder behind the prop and they are linked together to move in tandem. I want to disconnect them so they move independently so that I can set the 2nd rudder up for sheet to tiller steering. My question is how would this affect steering when using the primary rudder alone (2nd rudder straight along the length of the boat)?
Hello Intifada, do you have a picture of the current configuration, inside and outside the boat? Here is the image from sailboatdata.com for a Albin Vega:
Sorry no pics of the inside but not much to see anyway. Once the system to link the two is removed they will operate as two distinct rudders as each has it's own tiller (the 2nd has a small removeable one). Outside pic hopefully attached.
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,569
Re: Steering with two rudders
I would suspect that the add-on rudder, being both larger and further aft than the keel mounted rudder would steer the boat far better than the original, all by itself. I would at least try locking the keel rudder straight ahead and simply steering in all conditions with the new one. Less drag, and I bet better tracking and response to tiller input.
Jim
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Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
I would at least try locking the keel rudder straight ahead and simply steering in all conditions with the new one.
I would think using the keel 'rudder' essentially as a trim tab would be the way to go - so you can use it to balance out the boat and create lift. Would make self-steering systems much easier running because you could make the balance on the aft rudder neutral in pretty much any condition. In the past this was a not unusual approach, but often heavily penalized or outright banned by racing rules. Usually with like a worm gear on the trim tab - so you can dial in a bit of angle and it would hold it.
I would think using the keel 'rudder' essentially as a trim tab would be the way to go - so you can use it to balance out the boat and create lift. Would make self-steering systems much easier running because you could make the balance on the aft rudder neutral in pretty much any condition. In the past this was a not unusual approach, but often heavily penalized or outright banned by racing rules. Usually with like a worm gear on the trim tab - so you can dial in a bit of angle and it would hold it.
as an additional aside . . . the (new) aft rudder could be a nicer shape (elliptical and deeper). I understand that may be more work/money than you want to dive into. But if you get to liking using the aft rudder - there is an upgrade there just waiting for you.