Would like some opinions on this part I made

[kfxguy]

Long story short, I wanted a offset rudder (strudder assy) that doesn't drag in the water at low speeds. I also wanted some nice prescision hardware. Neither of which I can just go out and buy to fit a 32" Rivercat. So I had to do some modifying to get what I want. I like it. But I don't. Or should I say I'm on the fence about it. The more I look at the tfl strudder assy next to it, the more I like it. Tell me what you think. Maybe the flat piece of carbon is throwing it off? I could machine an aluminum extension with steps on it so it all fits flush. Or leave as is?

[tlandauer]

I LOVE IT!! !! I had made a similar "extension" on my Insane Mono34. I was too cheap to get a bracket with the "proper" length. I grew fond of the looks of the CF plate in the end and it is rigid. Mine doesn't look half as good as yours though...
DSCN1357_5306.jpg

[kfxguy]

I LOVE IT!! !! I had made a similar "extension" on my Insane Mono34. I was too cheap to get a bracket with the "proper" length. I grew fond of the looks of the CF plate in the end and it is rigid. Mine doesn't look half as good as yours though...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]138528[/ATTACH]

You think so? I guess it looks better than the tfl one. I wanted something different that didn't drag in the water. I don't care too much for the "steps" although I did round them off. Also if I want a straight linkage, it has to go to the outside. I've alway put my linkages to the inside but if I want no bends in it, it shad to go this way. That's another thing I'm concerned with.

[tlandauer]

I think it is a good match, a nice accent on a CF hull.
If you don't like the "step", then add another piece to make it double thick, it will take the eye away from the "step", the picture i showed was "V1", I added one short piece in the middle then another to sandwich the whole thing. In my case the thickness of the CF was exactly the same as the aluminum bracket, therefore I was able to use the center piece to even the out pieces .

[T.S.Davis]

Travis, at the speeds you like to play at the single bolt at the strut wont hold. The assembly will pivot at that bolt. You need two there.

[shua]

Travis, at the speeds you like to play at the single bolt at the strut wont hold. The assembly will pivot at that bolt. You need two there.

Good point. Maybe add an alignment pin ?

Travis, I like your concept idea. Less drag

[kfxguy]

I definitely agree. The one screw is mockup. It's actually going to have two counter sunk screws on the inside. But then there's another problem of blocking the transom mount screws. I'll have to put that side bracket on. Offset on. Then the other bracket. Not a big deal unless it ever needs to be serviced. Maybe I'm just stressing over nothing as I've never had to take one back apart. Or I can groove the bracket with my mill about .020 deep so the bracket will sit in a slot. Then I will go to the next size up course thread bolt. Adds another feature doing this too.....strut adjustments will be easier and faster....no more fumbling with a wrench and an Allen wrench. Or I can use pins to locate it and still use a bigger Allen screw. Thoughts?

[srislash]

I would try it like that Trav. If it works well I would do the rudder pivot and CF plate as one piece. Then it would look clean. You have a mill don't you ?

[kfxguy]

I do have a mill. Are you saying make the part the pin goes through and the extension as one piece?

[srislash]

I do have a mill. Are you saying make the part the pin goes through and the extension as one piece?

Yup, exactly. But try it out this way before the time investment.
You could mill it from CF or aluminum.

[kfxguy]

Came up with another idea. The bracket that the rudder hooks to I'm going to make it differently for my mini Rivercat I'm building. Here's my idea. 1/4" thick aluminum angle. Mill the legs to length. On the sharp edge I'll radius it with a corner radiusing bit. Then I will flush mount the bracket for the rudder. I think that will look even better although it won't have any carbon fiber on it.

[srislash]

Good plan Travis. Nice clean look. Thumbs up

[kfxguy]

Thanks. I was working on the Rivercat last night and I moved this thing....I realized it it super light, feels a good bit lighter than the tfl setup. The look is really growing on me too.

[Tamelesstgr]

Would it be stronger, and sexier looking if you made the two pieces into a single "L" piece that connects the strut to the rudder? Kind of like how Proboat does some of their offset rudders:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Boat-Offset-Rudder-Assy-BJ29-PRB4087-/231728974223?hash=item35f41f898f:g:Yw8AAOSwNSxVEXjR

[kfxguy]

Would it be stronger, and sexier looking if you made the two pieces into a single "L" piece that connects the strut to the rudder? Kind of like how Proboat does some of their offset rudders:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Boat-Off...8AAOSwNSxVEXjR

That type of mount I'm trying to get away from. Cheesy and drags on the water. It's definitely weaker that what I'm doing. I ordered my material last night. I'll have enough to do several of these setups. The offset bracket is going to be be 3/8" thick structural 6061 aluminum. The strut brackets are going to be 1/8" structural 6061. The difference in structural and regular angle is in the bend on structural there a curved radius instead of a sharp bend. It's stronger.