rudder question

[bustitup]

How critical is it to have the leading edge of the rudder even with the drive dog?

[SJFE]

What do you mean by even? Directly inline? If so not very due tothe fact there are offset and inline hardware systems. If you mean alined exactly 90 degrees to the strut yes it is a big deal. What type of hull you have will probably get you more information.

[Fluid]

IME it is seldom critical. A few hulls are very sensitive to rudder placement, but is a 1/8" difference in rudder leading edge critical? Probably not. None of my hydros have the the rudder LE even with the drive dog, and my best running ones have the trailing edge of the rudder even with the drive dog. That hull does have an extended strut.



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[Boatman]

IME it is seldom critical. A few hulls are very sensitive to rudder placement, but is a 1/8" difference in rudder leading edge critical? Probably not. None of my hydros have the the rudder LE even with the drive dog, and my best running ones have the trailing edge of the rudder even with the drive dog. That hull does have an extended strut.



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who said for hydro? I have found with certain mono hulls it is very critical to have the rudder LE even or behind drive dog.

[Jeff Wohlt]

I also have a few hulls that have a very short rudder like the Vegas with the DD further out. Never a problem. I do try and make sure my rudder LE is at least equal or behind the TE of the prop. No real research but you can get rudder wash in to the prop that makes it blow out on some rigs when cornering...monos would be one of them.

Do not worry about the DD...worry about the Rudder LE being behind the prop TE. Yours is way back so no worries. In some cases you may want to shorten the rudder arm so it is closer to the hull depending on cornering.