RUDDER ASSEMBLY

A. If a rudder pull-up system is not effective and secure, the rudder could be damaged [hitting the ground] when boat is launched or retrieved.

B. If the rudder does not have a hold-down arrangement that works well in heavy weather and the rudder is allowed to trail straight out behind the craft, a VERY heavy tiller results, as well as the more serious problem of possibly breaking the tiller or the rudder because of the EXTREME leverage exerted by the rudder being straight out behind the pivot point.


C. Improve method of rudder hold-down and pull-up - rope and cleat concept has problems- if rudder has run aground, rope tension increases dramatically and sometimes the only way to free rudder is to cut hold-down rope.
Rudder pullup and transport clips [shown in full down position] which results in a balanced rudder.
Clip is used for launching and retrieving boat, with the rudder installed.
Rudder hold down and pull up spring + 1/8" wire strop [pivots from rudder head bolt to stand/off on rudder]. Spring is 9" closed length and expands to 13" when moved thru full arc [full down to full up].
The spring concept has performed beautifully.
Even in heavy winds, the rudder remains very light to the touch and we can be confident that if the rudder ever needs to go up, if it encounters an object, it can.
Also, if one encounters thin water where one runs the risk of hanging up the rudder [if the centerboard has been pulled up completely] the rudder pull-up works well.