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Post by john on Aug 4, 2018 9:22:23 GMT
Has anyone tried one?
Did it make much difference?
I’m most interested in staying in a straight line without constant adjustment of the helm.
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moppy
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Post by moppy on Aug 6, 2018 8:36:05 GMT
Yes, when my parents had outboard powered boats (canal cruisers) they always fitted rudders. Not a lot of difference at normal speeds but a distinct improvement in slow manoeuvring and going astern. It also gives you steerage when engine in neutral.
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Post by john on Aug 18, 2018 15:05:08 GMT
Thanks Moppy.
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Post by john on Sept 14, 2018 19:47:17 GMT
I’ve fitted one to the day boat and I’m very impressed.
Slow speed manoeuvring improved but also stays straighter when motoring, much less correcting.
The only thing I don’t like is what it’s done to reverse. If coming into dock on the right I used to put hard right lock and a little reverse to bring the stern in. But with the rudder fitted it’s not as effective, the bow goes right instead.
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Post by john on Sept 19, 2018 6:41:41 GMT
Me fickle???
I’m close to removing it again 😏
Whilst the straight line steering is much improved I feel I’ve lost something. When mooring going forward I used to pull the stern in with a little reverse whilst going forward but now the rudder has more effect than the reverse thrust ☹️
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moppy
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Post by moppy on Sept 19, 2018 11:40:49 GMT
Rather than removing it, am I out of order in suggesting you give yourself time to learn to use it to your advantage. The only facility you have lost is the ability to put the engine in a position you know you will require some seconds later. This is a small price to pay for the various advantages the rudder offers.
Pulling the stern in using reverse is better done by pushing the stern in using forward gear.
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Post by john on Sept 19, 2018 12:58:30 GMT
No, you’re not out of order at all.
You’re right, I probably should spend more time getting used to it.
But I’m not really liking the push the stern in forwards option as much as pull the stern in using reverse because that loses me speed too. When I get it right the old way I used to be able to kiss the dock with almost no forward speed without having to use loads of reverse at the last minute.
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Post by john on Sept 28, 2018 18:27:16 GMT
I gave it a bit more of a chance (possibly not enough) but it’s off now.
I’m missing the ease of steering in a straight line but nothing else.
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moppy
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Post by moppy on Sept 29, 2018 11:33:51 GMT
I realise that "Leisure time" should not be hard work but to be fair I hardly think that a fortnight is a reasonable "crack of the whip". I don't know how much of this fortnight you spent on the boat but I would have given it at least a season to get used to it.
I can only think of two downsides to a rudder on an outboard one being that as you use thrust to steer with an outboard, it's more tricky if you wish to go from one lock to the other without effecting the course the boat is taking until putting it in gear.
The other drawback is that for mooring stern on, even more 'stuff' is sticking out from the stern.
Only my opinion but the pros far outweigh the cons.
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Post by john on Oct 10, 2018 16:48:07 GMT
I find it much more predictable without the rudder.
If I’m going forwards and I put left lock on and a little reverse the bow will go left but at some point as I lose speed the stern will start going left.
I find it hard to predict when that will happen and I don’t like it.
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moppy
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Post by moppy on Oct 12, 2018 9:24:21 GMT
Fair enough mate, we're all different! I prefer with, you prefer without, and after all, it IS your boat not mine.  |
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Post by john on Oct 12, 2018 10:34:30 GMT
To be honest I think if I did more cruising with that boat it would have stayed on but that one is more of a shuttle.
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