Skeg construction

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by first wind

that's a good idea. as long as the rudder stock does break instead of prying open the hull, it would probably be the easiest solution to accomplish.

A cofferdam around the rudder is a great feature with either a spade or skeg rudder. My current, and new boats have this.

I don't know the layout of your boat, but it should be possible to retrofit something without too much difficulty. The top of the rudder is usually close to the waterline. On my boats the cofferdam extends a metre or so above the waterline but it need not be so high to be effective. If you stay with a spade rudder the cofferdam makes it possible to easily drop the rudder for repairs while the boat is in the water.

If you are concerned about the strength of the hull it is not a major project to beef up the area around the rudder. At same time you can strengthen the attachment of the rudder tube. If you are going to these lengths reinforcing the hull around the keel area, particularly the back of the keel, is probably a higher priority on most older boats.

Note, I am not suggesting such modifications are necessary on you boat but adding a some strength and a little weight to the bottom of the hull around the keel and rudder is not likely to have any adverse effects, like I fear the changing to a skeg rudder may do.

[first wind]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

A cofferdam around the rudder is a great feature with either a spade or skeg rudder. My current, and new boats have this.

I don't know the layout of your boat, but it should be possible to retrofit something without too much difficulty. The top of the rudder is usually close to the waterline. On my boats the cofferdam extends a metre or so above the waterline but it need not be so high to be effective. If you stay with a spade rudder the cofferdam makes it possible to easily drop the rudder for repairs while the boat is in the water.

If you are concerned about the strength of the hull it is not a major project to beef up the area around the rudder. At same time you can strengthen the attachment of the rudder tube. If you are going to these lengths reinforcing the hull around the keel area, particularly the back of the keel, is probably a higher priority on most older boats.

Note, I am not suggesting such modifications are necessary on you boat but adding a some strength and a little weight to the bottom of the hull around the keel and rudder is not likely to have any adverse effects, like I fear the changing to a skeg rudder may do.

that's a really good idea that i hadn't considered.

[pete c]

Digging up an old thread here....

Some good points all around, a few that I disagree with.

OK, maybe just one.

Haven't read this entire thread, but someone on page 1 says that a spade is just as strong as skeg hung.

BS.

Not saying there is anything wrong with spades, but a full skeg, with a nice sloped lead edge is gonna take more abuse than a spade. It is nearly as bombproof as a keel hung rudder on a full keel boat, which is essentially a skeg hung rudder with a ginormous skeg.

Of course the improved performance is a worthwhile tradeoff for many which is why the great majority of boats built today are skegless.

The one other comment I would like to second is the cofferdam. Seems to me that every single spade rudder boat out there should be built with them. It could save your boat when a whale rips the spade off and being able to remove/service the rudder without putting the boat on the hard is a great benefit.

I am currently looking to buy something old and cheap in the 30 ft range and there's a very good chance that it will have a spade. If it does not have a cofferdam when I get it, it will shortly.

How about the idea of a skeg that doesn't actually touch the rudder? I guess technically, it isn't a skeg. More of a fairing there to deflect anything intending to bash your rudder. It wouldn't even have to be that heavy. Design it as a sacrificial piece that would break off as it does its job to avoid or at least lessen the impact with the rudder.

[nuku34]

To the OP: how are you going to deal with the sink outlet with no through hull?